US Stamps Value Scott 78: 1862 24c George Washington National Bank Note. Page 9

24c Dark Lilac (Scott 78). Choice centering with well-proportioned margins, strong color, neat target cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90, SMQ value $1,000.00 as Lilac shade)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3142

24c Grayish Lilac (Scott 78a). Beautiful bright color, precise centering with margins completely clear of design all around, neat strike of blue double-circle datestamp EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1863 24-CENT ISSUE IN THE GRAYISH LILAC SHADE. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. With 2010 P.F., 2002 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ value $2,750.00). Only three other examples have achieved this grade with none higher.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3143

24c Lilac (Scott 78). Huge Jumbo margins and outstanding centering, pretty shade nicely complemented by blue target cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS BEAUTIFUL STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE RECORDED IN THE P.S.E. POPULATION REPORT FOR ANY USED 1861-63 24-CENT STAMP, ENCOMPASSING ALL NINE LISTED SHADES. A SUPERB STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT. With 1998 and 2004 P.F. certificates. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ value $7,150.00 as 98). The only other 1861 Issue 24c used stamp that has achieved at least a Superb 98 grade is the Brown Lilac No. 70a offered in lot 3126.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3141

1863, 24¢ lilac (Scott 78), lovely example with finesly detailed impression, very handsome, light black grid cancellations, Very Fine, 1991 P.F. certificate. Scott $375. Estimate $300 – 400.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1000

P 1863, 24¢ lilac, plate proof on India (78P3), bottom imprint and plate number block of twelve on card, fresh and Very Fine. Scott price $2,070

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 346, Lot 707

1863, 24¢ lilac (Scott 78), expertly regummed, lovely fresh color, a very attractive stamp; small hinge thin spot, Fine to Very Fine appearance. Scott $950. Estimate value $300 – 400.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Aug 2012, Sale 631, Lot 780

Scott #78, 24c Lilac, an incomparable used example of this stamp, possessing several extraordinary qualities that are truly breathtaking, most impressive is this stamp’s outstanding centering amid enormously large margins for any classic stamp, let alone a notorious 24c value from the 1861-62 series, and just as impressive is its spectacular color in an especially intense shade, outstanding detailed impression on fresh paper, beautifully cancelled with an unusual grid and just a bit of a red cancel as well, an extremely fine gem for the knowledgeable collector who will appreciate the true rarity of this stamp in this superb condition; 2003 PF certificate and a 2006 PSE certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,350.00).

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2012, Sale 140, Lot 126

1863, 24¢ lilac (Scott 78), delicate lilac color, wide margins, black circle of wedges cancel, Very Fine, 2009 graded PSE certificate. SMQ VF 80; $300. Scott $375. Estimate $150 – 200. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1294

1863, 24¢ gray (Scott 78b), o.g., previously hinged, Fine to Very Fine, 2012 PF certificate. Scott $2,900. Estimate $1,000 – 1,500. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1295

24c Lilac, Specimen Ovpt. (Scott 78SB). Large part original gum, unusually choice centering and wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, difficult to find this nice, only 1,300 issued, with 1984 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1026, Lot 1098

24c Lilac (Scott 78). Bright color, crisp impression, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, unobtrusive strike of target cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1863 24-CENT IN THE LILAC SHADE. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP. Ex Hinrichs. With 1995 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ value $2,350.00). Only four have graded higher to date and only three others share this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 132

24c Gray (Scott 78b). Intense color in the true Gray shade on bright paper, well-balanced margins, neat strike of target cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful example of the 24c Gray, with 1996 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 134

24c Grayish Lilac (Scott 78a). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, light cancel leaves entire design clearly visible EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1863 24-CENT IN THE GRAYISH LILAC SHADE. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE. With 2001 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ value $2,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only three others share this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 133

24c Lilac, Printed on Both Sides (78d). Back printed inverted in relation to the front, back of stamp with clear impression of bottom half of stamp split halfway between perforations, other side rich color, tied by bold blue “DPO” cancel on bright orange cover to Heidelberg, Germany, brownish-red “Summerfield Ala. June 1867” circular datestamp with date in manuscript, red “New York Brem. Pkt. Paid 12 Jun. 27” credit datestamp, blue “America Uber Bremen Franco” transit handstamp, receiving backstamp, stamp lifted from cover for display VERY FINE. ONLY TWO EXAMPLES OF THIS PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES RARITY ARE RECORDED. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED SOUND EXAMPLE AND THE ONLY ONE ON COVER. Engraved stamps printed on both sides usually have a poor impression on one side and a second, complete impression on the other. They probably occurred when a sheet was printed without proper moistening, which prevented the paper from picking up the ink in the recessed lines of the engraved plate. The inverted impression on back is a result of the sheet being turned 180 degrees before it was put on the press the second time. Our list of printed-on-both-sides stamps is included as an appendix to this catalogue. Only one other example of the 24c printed on both sides is known (shown below). It has an “1867” manuscript cancellation (matching the year date on this cover), and its backside impression is identical to the stamp offered here. Without question, the two came from the same sheet. The other stamp has a defect at bottom right, while the stamp offered here, with its original cover, is sound. Ex Isleham, where it was erroneously described as reperfed at left (a subsequent P.F. certificate and our own examination confirms that the perforations are genuine), and ex Drucker. With 1986 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as on cover For our on-line census of Scott 78d: http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/78d/78d.pdf

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 136

24c Blackish Violet (78c). Perfectly centered with well-balanced margins, deep rich color on crisp paper, neat strike of circle of wedges cancel EXTREMELY FINE. THE 24-CENT BLACKISH VIOLET IS THE MOST DIFFICULT STAMP OF THE 1861-66 SERIES TO OBTAIN — EITHER UNUSED OR USED — IN SOUND AND CENTERED CONDITION. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. A thorough search through past auction catalogues will demonstrate how rare this stamp is in either used or unused condition. With regard to used stamps, this shade was lacking from the Ishikawa, Grunin, Klein, Caspary and Twigg-Smith collections. The Zoellner collection contained an original-gum single even though the rest of the series was obtained in used condition, because a suitable used stamp was never offered. The superb used single in our Sale 878 (lot 324, realized $22,000 hammer) was stolen from a Fedex courier and has not been recovered. Our census of Scott 78c, available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/78c/78c.pdf , records a total of 36 used examples of this issue, of which only 31 have been certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation. We also record nine on cover plus three unused, for a total of 48 potential examples. Of the used off cover copies only ten are confirmed as sound, and of these ten only four have decent centering (one of which is the stolen copy). This leaves only three used copies which are confirmed as sound and centered — Census Nos. 01 (ex Dr. Morris), 02 (offered here) and 30 (ex Floyd). With 1994 and 2005 P.F. certificates.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 135