Sale 1298 — The Nathanael Greene Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 8 November, 2023
Category — 1902-08 Issue (Scott 302-315)
3c Bright Violet (302). Mint N.H., crisp impression, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 and 2023 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
6c Claret (305). Mint N.H., radiant color, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only two grade higher (both 95J, we last sold one in 2019 for $5,000 hammer), this is the first in this grade we have offered since 2017
13c Purple Black (308). Mint N.H., intense color and proof-like impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
50c Orange (310). Original gum, lightly hinged, vibrant color, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine Gem, with 2022 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95), this is a very difficult issue to obtain in Mint N.H. condition in the higher grades — in Mint N.H. condition only three grade higher and five have achieved this grade, this lightly hinged example is strongly worth considering if centering is the primary criteria for your collection
$1.00 Black (311). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide margins, intense shade on bright white paper, Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90), SCV $600
$2.00 Dark Blue (312). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, phenomenal centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1902 ISSUE, WHICH WAS RECENTLY GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
The 1902-03 Second Bureau Issue was a great improvement over the Bureau's first efforts in 1894 and 1895. Perforations tend to be cleaner, and centering better, but the large plate layout and perforation method still resulted in a large number of poorly centered stamps. The P.S.E. Population Report for the $2.00 confirms the rarity of high-grade examples. Only one 100 and three 98 grades have been assigned to previously hinged stamps, and the highest grade for Mint N.H. state is 95 (4 recorded).
Ex Dr. Morris and Dr. Killien. With 1988 and 2022 P.F. certifcates (XF-Superb 95). With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95). With 2022 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98). Comparing this to other graded examples, we understand why this was recently upgraded to Superb 98.
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Mint N.H. with extra wide bottom plate no. 1620 selvage, intense shade and impression on bright paper, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1902 ISSUE WITH EXTRA WIDE BOTTOM PLATE NUMBER SELVAGE. A TRUE CONDITION RARITY.
The 1902-03 Second Bureau Issue was a great improvement over the Bureau's first efforts in 1894 and 1895. Perforations tend to be cleaner, and centering better, but the large plate layout and perforation method still resulted in a large number of poorly centered stamps. Furthermore, stamps issued in choice condition seldom stayed that way, because the boom in stamp collecting that began with the Roosevelt administration caused hordes of hinge-bearing philatelists to mount stamps over and over again. For this reason, today's collectors have grown accustomed to paying many multiples of Scott value for Extremely Fine stamps in Mint Never-Hinged state. This is especially true when it comes to the $5.00 denomination. This fact is made abundantly clear when one realizes that the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to a $5.00 value in Never-Hinged condition is 90, given to only five stamps. The stamp offered here has not been numerically graded, but its quality is self-evident.
Only two $5.00 plate blocks are available to collectors. We have offered two other Mint N.H. plate number singles, but neither compares favorably to the one offered here in terms of selvage size or centering.
With 2006 P.F. certificate.
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. pair, rich color, wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1988 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certficates (XF-Superb 95), SCV $1,250