Prices of US Stamp Scott Catalog 389 – 1911 3c George Washington Coil. Page 1

USA (Scott 389) 1911 WASHINGTON COIL 3¢ DEEP VIOLET TYPE I, ORANGEBURG COIL Scarce Orangeburg coil. Rich color, wavy line machine cancel, typical centering, small corner creases at bottom, fine appearance. (1996 PF Cert #300943). Cat value for fine. Cat value $10500.

Regency-Superior, Aug 2015, Sale 112, Lot 775

3c Deep Violet, Orangeburg Coil (Scott 389). Deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, tied by “Orangeburg N.Y. Mar. 8 3PM 1911” machine cancel on cover to Berwyn Pa., usual “Bell & Company Incorporated Manufacturing Chemists” corner card, stamp lifted and hinged to cover, tiny stamp faults noted on most recent certificate FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USE OF THE RARE 3-CENT ORANGEBURG COIL ON COVER. ONLY THIRTEEN ORANGEBURG COIL COVERS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS GENUINE BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. The Orangeburg coil was made by the Post Office Department in 1911, specifically for use by the Bell Pharmaceutical Company. The 3c coil stamps were used to send samples of their products to physicians. Due to the quantity of mail, they were put through the first-class cancelling machine at Orangeburg, New York. The Orangeburg coil stamps’ use on third-class mail and the fact that philatelists were generally unaware of their production account for their rarity. When we offered this stamp and the cover in our Sale 798 (lot 454A), it was our opinion that the stamp did not originate on this cover. However, it was subsequently twice expertized by The Philatelic Foundation and certified as a genuine use (earliest documented date) and acquired by Alan Berkun for his exhibit collection. Ex Ward, Southgate and Berkun. With 1998 and 2015 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jul 2015, Sale 1107, Lot 448

3c Deep Violet, Orangeburg Coil (Scott 389). Better centered than typically seen, classic Orangeburg Coil shade and wavy-line cancellation, some blue paper remnants from the envelope on back, normally a distraction, but in this case will help certify this stamp, as the blue paper is from the Bell Laboratories envelopes used in mailing samples from Orangeburg, trivial bottom left corner crease VERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE GREAT COIL RARITIES IN UNITED STATES PHILATELY. The Orangeburg coil was made by the Post Office Department in 1911, specifically for use by the Bell Pharmaceutical Company. The 3c coil stamps were used to send samples of their products to physicians. Due to the quantity of mail, they were put through the first-class cancelling machine at Orangeburg, New York. The Orangeburg coil stamps’ use on third-class mail, and the fact that philatelists were generally unaware of their production accounts for their rarity. Many have small faults such as corner creases or small tears.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jul 2015, Sale 1107, Lot 447

3c Deep Violet, Orangeburg Coil (Scott 389). Pair, small piece of hinge reinforcing a few perf separations at bottom, gum is otherwise pristine, deep rich color, completely sound VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE UNUSED PAIR OF THE 1911 3-CENT ORANGEBURG COIL, SCOTT 389. ONLY TWO UNUSED SINGLES AND SIX UNUSED PAIRS ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF 20TH CENTURY UNITED STATES PHILATELY. The Orangeburg coil was made by the Post Office Department in 1911, specifically for use by the Bell Pharmaceutical Company. The 3c coil stamps were used to send samples of their products to physicians. Due to the quantity of mail, they were put through the first-class cancelling machine at Orangeburg, New York. The Orangeburg coil stamps’ use on third-class mail and the fact that philatelists were generally unaware of their production account for their rarity. A census of the Orangeburg coil, published in The Philatelic Foundation’s Opinions VII book, certifies two singles and six unused pairs, plus an uncertified unused pair with paste-up at left in the The New York Public Library’s Benjamin K. Miller collection (on extended loan to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum). The P.F. Census comports with our own, which is available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/389/389.pdf . Of the certified pairs, three are centered strongly to one side. This pair comes from the strip of five that was broken into two pairs and a single. The other pair from the strip, which adjoined this pair to the right, contains the only known Mint N.H. example of the Orangeburg coil (the other stamp in that pair has a small thin spot). That pair was last offered in our 2009 sale of the Alan B. Whitman Collection, where it realized $330,000 hammer (Sale 968B, lot 494). Siegel Census No. 389-OG-PR-05. With copy of 1997 P.F. certificate for a strip of five, this pair from positions 2-3 (certificate no. 317652). With 1997 P.F. certificate as a pair

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2015, Sale 1096, Lot 632

3c Deep Violet, Orangeburg Coil (Scott 389). Rich color, neat wavy-line machine cancel, three wide margins, small thin spot, small faults in top margin, as many have, resulting from placement in the corner of the thick envelope containing pharmaceutical samples VERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 3-CENT ORANGEBURG COIL. The Orangeburg coil was made by the Post Office Department in 1911, specifically for use by the Bell Pharmaceutical Company. The 3c coil stamps were used to send samples of their products to physicians. Due to the quantity of mail, they were put through the first-class cancelling machine at Orangeburg, New York. The Orangeburg coil stamps’ use on third-class mail, and the fact that philatelists were generally unaware of their production accounts for their rarity. Many have small faults such as corner creases or small tears. With 1989 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2015, Sale 1096, Lot 633

o 1911, 3¢ deep violet, the “Orangeburg” coil (389), exceptional centering, bright rich color and characteristic wavy line machine cancel. Slight corner crease lower right, quite minor and in no way detracts. Very Fine appearance. Scott $10,500 A CHOICE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ORANGEBURG COIL. Expertization: 1943 A.P.S., 1980 P.F. Certificates. This 3¢ coil was produced specifically to be used by the Bell Pharmaceutical Company of Orangeburg, N.Y. to mail samples to doctors across the county. The 3¢ stamps paid triple the fourth class mail rate indicating that the samples were quite bulky. In addition, the volume of the mass mailing resulted in the covers being put through the first class cancelling machine rather than being hand cancelled, as was custom. These two circumstances account for the fact that most of the surviving examples and virtually all of the known covers are affected by wrinkles, creases, or worse.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2015, Sale 351, Lot 177

o 1911, 3¢ deep violet, the “Orangeburg” coil (389), unusually well centered for this normally poorly centered coil, characteristic dark shade and wavy line machine cancellation. Trifling corner crease and wrinkle, both invisible to naked eye and not mentioned in accompanying certificate. Choice Very Fine appearance. Scott price $10,500 A SUPERIOR APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ORANGEBURG COIL. Expertization: clear 1978 P.F. Certificate. This 3¢ coil was produced specifically to be used by the Bell Pharmaceutical Company of Orangeburg, N.Y. to mail samples to doctors across the county. The 3¢ stamps paid triple the fourth class mail rate indicating that the samples were quite bulky. In addition, the volume of the mass mailing resulted in the covers being put through the first class cancelling machine rather than being hand cancelled, as was custom. These two circumstances account for the fact that most of the surviving examples and virtually all of the known covers are affected by wrinkles, creases, or worse.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2015, Sale 351, Lot 176

3c Deep Violet, Orangeburg Coil (Scott 389). Deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, tied by “Orangeburg N.Y. Mar. 8 3PM 1911” machine cancel on cover to Berwyn Pa., usual “Bell & Company Incorporated Manufacturing Chemists” corner card, stamp lifted and hinged to cover, tiny faults not noted on certificate FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USE OF THE RARE 3-CENT ORANGEBURG COIL ON COVER. ONLY THIRTEEN ORANGEBURG COIL COVERS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS GENUINE BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. The Orangeburg coil was made by the Post Office Department in 1911, specifically for use by the Bell Pharmaceutical Company. The 3c coil stamps were used to send samples of their products to physicians. Due to the quantity of mail, they were put through the first-class cancelling machine at Orangeburg, New York. The Orangeburg coil stamps’ use on third-class mail and the fact that philatelists were generally unaware of their production account for their rarity. When we offered this stamp and the cover in our Sale 798 (lot 454A), it was our opinion that the stamp did not originate on this cover. However, it was subsequently expertized by The Philatelic Foundation and certified as a genuine use (earliest documented date) and acquired by Alan Berkun for his exhibit collection. Ex Ward, Southgate and Berkun. With 1998 P.F. certificate.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Feb 2015, Sale 1093, Lot 215

3c Deep Violet, Orangeburg Coil (Scott 389). Wide margins and nice centering, deep rich color, neat wavy-line cancel, tiny corner creases at top, light crease at left VERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 3-CENT ORANGEBURG COIL. SCARCE WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS. With 1992 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Feb 2015, Sale 1093, Lot 214

1911, 3¢ deep violet, the “Orangeburg” coil (Scott 389), neat wavy black machine cancellation, handsome example of this rarely offered Orangeburg coil single, with the typical flaws associated with this rarity, as this issue was used to ship third class mail containing pharmaceutical samples which most times damaged these 3 cent coil stamps which were affixed on the package; a wonderful appearing example that would be a great addition to any collection as it’s available at an affordable price; small thin spot at the right, light crease, and reperforated at the right, Fine to Very Fine appearance, 2014 P.S.E. certificate. Scott $10,500. Estimate $3,000 – 4,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Dec 2014, Sale 661, Lot 321

1911, 3¢ deep violet, the “Orangeburg” coil (Scott 389), neatly struck wavy black cancellation, decent example of this extremely scarce Orangeburg coil single, with outstanding color, quite rare when found with the trivial crease as the only flaw, as these stamps oftentime comes with thins and tears; the example offered here is in a better condition than most; trivial corner crease at upper right, Very Good to Fine, 1981 P.F. certificate. Scott $10,500. Estimate price $3,500 – 5,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2014, Sale 660, Lot 2351

1911, 3¢ deep violet, the “Orangeburg” coil (Scott 389), wavy black machine cancellation, decent and affordable example of this rare Orangeburg coil single, with brilliant fresh color, a rare chance to own an attractive example of this stamp without paying an arm and a leg; diagonal crease and a small thin spot at top right, Fine appearance, with photocopy only of 1985 P.F. certificate. Scott $10,500. Estimate price $3,000 – 4,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Sep 2014, Sale 655, Lot 461

1911, 3¢ deep violet, the “Orangeburg” coil (Scott 389), neat wavy black machine cancellation, completely sound example of this rare stamp, as Bell Pharmaceutical Co. in Orangeburg, N.Y. used these stamps to mail physician’s samples out, resulting in creases and tears to most existing examples of this stamp; this stamp offered here is one of but a handful examples that are completely fault free, with mouthwatering color on clean white paper, Fine, 1989 P.F. certificate. Scott $10,500. Estimate value $5,000 – 7,500.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, May 2014, Sale 652, Lot 575

#389, 3c Deep violet, Ty. I, “Orangeburg Coil,” perf. 12 vert., deep color and impression, typical but attractive fine centering, neat wavy line cancel of Orangeburg, N.Y., faint diagonal crease at top right that is barely discernable (actually quite trivial considering that the vast majority of the few known examples are far more faulty), a fine example for which the Scott catalog value is intended to reflect; a most presentable and collectable copy of this rare coil that was issued specifically for use by the Bell Pharmaceutical Co. to mail their samples to doctors; clear 1973 APS certificate and 2014 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, May 2014, Sale 148, Lot 283

o    3¢ deep violet, the “Orangeburg” coil (Scott 389), deep fresh color and distinct machine cancel, faintest trace of a diagonal crease, otherwise Fine (photo). $10,500 Expertization: 1984 P.F. Certificate. This 3¢ coil was produced specifically to be used by the Bell Pharmaceutical Company of Orangeburg, N.Y. to mail samples to doctors across the county. The 3¢ stamps paid triple the fourth class mail rate indicating that the samples were quite bulky. In addition, the volume of the mass mailing resulted in the covers being put through the first class cancelling machine rather than being hand cancelled, as was custom. These two circumstances account for the fact that most of the surviving examples and virtually all of the known covers are affected by wrinkles, creases, or worse.

Matthew Bennett International, May 2014, Sale 350, Lot 540