Values of US Stamps Scott #523: 1918 US$2.00 Benjamin Franklin Perf 11. Page 7

$2.00 Orange Red & Black (Scott 523). Lightly hinged (accompanying certificate states Mint N.H.), balanced margins, slight hint of oxidation, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jul 2013, Sale 1050, Lot 626

523, 1918 $2 Orange red & black, ,bold, brilliant color and deeply etched impression, trace guideline at left and bottom, o.g., Fine (Scott price $525)

H.R. Harmer, Jun 2013, Sale 3003, Lot 1369

523, 1918 $2 Orange red and black,o.g., Very Fine and attractive (Scott value $525)

H.R. Harmer, Jun 2013, Sale 3003, Lot 1368

$2.00 Orange Red & Black (Scott 523). Lightly hinged, bright colors, wide margins, Very Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, May 2013, Sale 1044, Lot 305

1918, $2 orange red & black (Scott 523), o.g., previously hinged, handsome well centered example with sterling rich color, Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Scott $525. Estimate $300 – 400.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Apr 2013, Sale 636, Lot 398

1918, $2 orange red & black (Scott 523), o.g., lightly hinged, dazzling rich color, and nicely balanced margins, a quality stamp, Very Fine. Scott $550. Estimate price $300 – 400.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Apr 2013, Sale 636, Lot 396

1918, $2 orange red & black (Scott 523), o.g., very lightly hinged, desirable fresh example with lively bright colors, very pleasing, Very Fine. Scott $525. Estimate price $300 – 400.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Apr 2013, Sale 636, Lot 397

$2.00 Orange Red & Black (Scott 523). Beautifully centered with near Jumbo margins, guide line at bottom, much lighter cancel than typically seen, Extremely Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1919

$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Top plate nos. 8179/8177 and arrow block of eight, lightly hinged, rich colors, vignette shifted noticeably to the left, two staple holes in selvage as usual FINE-VERY FINE. A RARE SOUND PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1918 $2.00 ORANGE RED & BLACK. ONLY A HANDFUL OF PLATE BLOCKS EXIST. The $2.00 and $5.00 1918 Issue are the first bi-colored dollar-denominated postage stamps issued by the United States. Both were released just three months after the famous 1918 24c Inverted Jenny, but the early printings were issued in small quantities, since stocks of the earlier $2.00 and $5.00 issues were still on hand. According to Johl, the $2.00 Orange Red & Black was a color error on the part of the Bureau of Engraving & Printing. The official description and order for the bi-color stamps specified “Red and Black” for the $2.00. When subsequent printings appeared in 1920 and philatelists brought the matter to the attention of the Bureau, they were told “this stamp has always been this color” (Johl, p. 306). From studies of Bureau and Post Office records, it is clear that the originally-intended color was not issued until November 1920 (Scott 547), and that the earlier Orange Red stamps were mistakes. The quantity issued has been variously estimated at between 47,000 and 68,000.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1918

$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Bottom arrow block of four, bottom left stamp Mint N.H., bottom right stamp barely hinged, top stamps h.r., rich colors, fresh and Fine-Very Fine position multiple, Scott Retail as singles

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1917

$2.00 Orange Red & Black (Scott 523). Lightly hinged, vibrant colors, Very Fine and choice, with 1979 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1916

1918, $2 orange red & black (Scott 523), top plate block of 8, o.g., never hinged, tremendous example of this extremely rare plate, in immaculate mint condition, with beautiful bright color and sharp clear impression, usual staple holes in selvage, one of the scarcest and most desirable of the 20th century bi-colored issue plate blocks, Fine to Very Fine, 2011 P.S.A.G. certificate. Scott $18,000. Estimate value $10,000 – 15,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Mar 2013, Sale 635, Lot 607

1918, $2 orange red & black (Scott 523), o.g., never hinged (natural gum skip), wide margins, bright color, and excellent centering, Very Fine. Scott $1,150. Estimate value $750 – 1,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Mar 2013, Sale 635, Lot 606

1918, $2 orange red & black (Scott 523), o.g., lightly hinged, bright fresh color, choice example, Fine to Very Fine. Scott $525. Estimate $150 – 200.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Feb 2013, Sale 634, Lot 313

U.S.; General Issues, 1918, $2 Orange Red & Black, #523. Glazed gum, bit faded, Fine. Scott $525. Estimate value $100-120.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Jan 2013, Sale 96, Lot 586