Cost of US Stamp Scott 71: 1861 30c Benjamin Franklin National Bank Note. Page 5

30c Orange (Scott 71). Original gum, small h.r., vibrant color, Very Fine, a fresh and well-centered original-gum example of this challenging 1861 Issue, with 1978, 1998 and 2006 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1295

1861, 30¢ orange (Scott 71), lightly struck black town cancellation, impressive example, with vibrant color and excellent eye appeal, Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Scott $180. Estimate $150 – 200.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Mar 2013, Sale 635, Lot 280

1861, 30¢ orange (Scott 71), neatly placed face free town cancellation at lower left, the quintessential Scott #71 – beautifully centered with intense color and nicely balanced margins, one of the most impressive examples one could ever hope for, Extremely Fine, 1988 P.F. certificate. Scott $180. Estimate value $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Feb 2013, Sale 634, Lot 61

o U.S.; General Issues, 1861, 30¢ Orange, #71. Black grid and trace of blue transit cancel (encapsulated), Grade 90 Extremely Fine free conversion to paper certificate available for this lot, PSE (2002) slab. Scott Stamp Values $475. Estimate $250-300.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Jan 2013, Sale 96, Lot 434

30c Orange, Plate Proof on India (Scott 71P3). Bottom imprint and plate no. 7 block of eight, full margins to clear, bright color with just a hint of oxidation in letters and numerals at top of top row, Very Fine, a scarce proof plate block, we have not offered another since the 1999 Finkelburg sale

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 1075

30c Orange, Large Die Proof on India, Specimen Overprint (71P1 var). Mounted on 142 x 224mm card with blue “Specimen” overprint across stamp and full imprint at bottom, vibrant color, binding from salesman’s book at left, Very Fine, Scott Retail as normal $500.00

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 1074

30c Orange, Large Die Proof on India (Scott 71P1). On 66 x 78mm card with full die sinkage, rich color, card with minor toning at lower right, still Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 1073

30c Orange (Scott 71). Warm color, nice margins and centering, bold strike of Tell City Ind. 4-bar grid in circle cancel with part of red exchange marking at bottom right, Very Fine, with 2011 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 1569

30c Orange (Scott 71). Well-centered with perfs clear of design on all sides, bright color, neat “Phila. Pa. Aug 12 1864” yeardate circular datestamp, insignificant short perf at lower right, still Very Fine and choice, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85, SMQ $325.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 1568

30c Orange (Scott 71). Wide margins to touched at left, blue Chicago Supplementary Mail cancel, Fine and attractive, with 2010 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 1570

30c Orange (71). Rich color and detailed impression, Jumbo margins, bold strike of target cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 30-CENT ORANGE. THIS BEAUTIFUL STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. The 30c is known used very early after the series was issued, the earliest documented use is August 20, 1861. The narrowly-spaced 30c 1861 plate left very little room for the 12-gauge perforations between stamps. Brookman notes “coupled with the fact it is very hard to find a well-centered copy, this color, which always cancels badly, makes a truly superb used copy almost a rarity. I consider it the most difficult stamp of the 1861 Series to obtain in choice used condition”. Scott Catalogue also acknowledges the difficulty of obtaining this issue in better condition, stating “Values for No. 71 are for examples with small margins, especially at sides. Large-margined examples sell for much more”. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo, SMQ value $2,000.00 as 95, $5,550.00 as 98). Only three have graded higher and none share this lofty grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 1034, Lot 81

Scott #71, 30c Orange, pretty used single, uncommonly well centered and margined, gorgeous vibrant color, neat target cancel and red transit pmks., extremely fine; 2010 PSE certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 141, Lot 52

Scott #71, 30c Orange, uncommonly well centered horizontal pair, cancelled by two complete strikes of a fancy four petal geometric New York Foreign Mail cancel (S-E #GE-M 20, Skinner NYFM #6x-1), fresh color, choice very fine and attractive; 2012 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 141, Lot 53

30c Orange (Scott 71). Radiant color, extraordinarily wide and balanced margins, bold grid cancel, single nibbed perf at top, still Extremely Fine, the 30c 1861 is rarely found with the margin width of this stamp, with 2011 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF Jumbo 85, SMQ value $325.00 as 85, $550.00 as 90)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3131

30c Orange (Scott 71). Essentially perfect centering, bright color, unobtrusive strike of grid cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 30-CENT ORANGE. THIS BEAUTIFUL STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. The 30c is known used very early after the series was issued, the earliest documented use is August 20, 1861. The narrowly-spaced 30c 1861 plate left very little room for the 12-gauge perforations between stamps. Brookman notes “coupled with the fact it is very hard to find a well-centered copy, this color, which always cancels badly, makes a truly superb used copy almost a rarity. I consider it the most difficult stamp of the 1861 Series to obtain in choice used condition”. With 1996 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ value $5,550.00). Only one example has graded higher (at 98J, offered in our Natalie Grace sale). This is one of only two to achieve this grade

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3130