Sale 1367 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 9-11 December, 2025
Category — 1870-88 Bank Note Issues (Scott 138-229)
7c Vermilion, H. Grill (138). Choice centering and wide margins, vibrant color and detailed impression, target cancel, Extremely Fine, a handsome stamp, from the Nathanael Greene collection, ex "Sacramento", with 2006 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (both XF 90)
30c Black, H. Grill (143). Distinct grill, nicely centered with intense shade, cork cancel leaves Hamilton's facial features unobscured
VERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1870 NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. GRILLED ISSUE.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. With 2002 and 2024 P.S.E. certificates.
(Image Magnifier)12c Dull Violet (151). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering with wide margins, bold strike of solid Star fancy cancel, which also manages to miss Clay's face, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp in every respect, we have offered few used Scott 151s with face-free cancels over the years — never mind with a fancy cancel — from the Nathanael Greene collection, ex Dr. Hinrichs, with 2003 and 2023 P.F. certificates, SCV $200
24c Purple (153). Unused (no gum), beautiful bright color, Very Fine, from the Nathanael Greene collection, with 2005 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)24c Purple (153). Wide margins and choice centering, fresh color, completely face-free cork cancel, Extremely Fine, from the Nathanael Greene collection, with 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90)
30c Black (154). Uncommonly wide margins and excellent centering, intense shade of 1870 National printing, attractive face-free red circle of wedges cancel, Extremely Fine, an outstanding example of this challenging Bank Note issue, from the Nathanael Greene collection, with 1988, 2008 and 2017 P.F. certificates (XF 90 XQ), the "XQ" stands for "Extraordinary Quality", SCV $350
2c Brown (157). Original gum, near perfect centering with wide and balanced margins, intense color
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 2-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. With 2000 P.F. and 2024 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). This is a surprisingly difficult issue to find in original-gum condition in the highest grades. Only four grade higher—they are all 95 centering but with Jumbo appellations (95J). Only three others share this 95 grade.
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3c Green (158). Mint N.H., brilliant color, beautifully balanced margins with long and full perforations, Extremely Fine, from the Nathanael Greene collection, with 1998 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates, SCV $110 as hinged
(Image Magnifier)6c Dull Pink (159). Superior centering with wide margins, rich color, perfect strike of New York Foreign Mail Star in Geometric cancel (Weiss ST-MP3), Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, from the Nathanael Greene collection, ex Dr. Hinrichs, with 1998 P.F., 2004 and 2019 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98), only one grades higher (at 98J, we have never offered it and do not know if it has a better cancel), no others share this grade
90c Rose Carmine (166). Original gum, barest trace of hinging — so light in fact that the older P.S.E. certificate states Mint N.H. — brilliant color, exceptional centering with balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB BARELY HINGED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, SCOTT 166, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Although multiples of the 90c 1873 have been broken up to furnish Very Fine and Extremely Fine (80-90 points) stamps, very few examples exist in this XF-Superb 95 or higher grades.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. With 2001 (as Mint N.H.) and 2019 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95). Only four grade higher (one at 95J, two at 98, one at 98J) and four others share this desirable grade. SCV $2,000
(Image Magnifier)15c Red Orange (189). Original gum, barely hinged, brilliant color, Extremely Fine, from the Nathanael Greene collection, with 1998 P.S.E. certificate for a block (bottom right stamp)
(Image Magnifier)3c Blue Green (207). Original gum, lightly hinged, outstanding centering and margins, Extremely Fine Gem, from the Nathanael Greene collection, with 1992 and 2024 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95, we think this is undergraded), by way of comparison, 95 is the highest grade awarded to this issue in any gum condition by P.S.E. (seven hinged and six Mint N.H.), SCV $85
(Image Magnifier)6c Rose (208). Original gum, lightly hinged, sharp proof-like impression on bright paper, Very Fine and choice, scarcer than its Red Brown counterpart, from the Nathanael Greene collection, with 2001 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80), SCV $825
(Image Magnifier)10c Brown (209). Mint N.H. with "M" in top selvage, fresh color, well-centered and wide margins, natural gum wrinkle at top, Very Fine, from the Nathanael Greene collection, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate
(Image Magnifier)4c Blue Green (211). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, well-balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT 1883 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. Ex Field. With 2009 and 2022 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90). Only two grade higher (at 95) and five others share this grade. We last offered a 95 in 2005, and we feel this stamp is every bit as well centered as that example. SCV $750.
3c Vermilion (214). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, precise centering, Extremely Fine Gem, from the Nathanael Greene collection, with 2002 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95), only four grade higher (one each at 95J, 98, 98J and 100J)
(Image Magnifier)30c Orange Brown (217). Mint N.H., beautiful glowing color on post-office fresh paper, essentially perfect centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEPTIONAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1888 30-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, SCOTT 217, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Of the several Change of Color American Bank Note Co. issues, the 30c, from Full Black to Orange Brown is perhaps the most striking. Brookman stated it "made a more handsome stamp than the 30c stamp printed in black." The example offered here is at the deeper end of the color spectrum. Combined with its near perfect centering, it is a Gem for the most discriminating collector.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. With 2005 P.F. certificate. With 2000 and 2021 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only four others shares this grade and only four grade higher (highest is 98). SCV $1,075.
(Image Magnifier)90c Purple (218). Beautiful rich color, outstanding centering with balanced margins, face-free handstamp cancel leaves the Perry vignette unobscured
EXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1888 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — ONLY ONE GRADES HIGHER.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. Ex Myerson. With 2021 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only one grades higher (at 95J). We have offered most of the other 95s and only this example has a face-free cancel.
2c Lake (219D). Mint N.H., deep rich color in the beautiful Lake shade, bright paper, wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1890 2-CENT SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE IN THE LAKE SHADE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. Ex Dr. Killien and from our 2022 Rarities sale. With 2001 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only one grades higher (at 98) and seven share this grade.
30c Black (228). Original gum, barest trace of hinging (if at all), wide margins and essentially perfect centering, intense shade
EXTREMELY FINE GEM BARELY HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1890 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. Ex Curtis. With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98). Only three hinged examples grade higher (at 98J) and no others share this grade. For Mint N.H., the highest grade is 98 (one example).
90c Orange (229). Original gum, lightly hinged, glowing color on fresh paper, beautiful centering with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING LIGHTLY HINGED SCOTT 229, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — THE HIGHEST AWARDED in any condition category.
From the Nathanael Greene collection. With 2023 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded in any category, and for original gum it is shared by only two others. For Mint N.H. the highest grade is 98 (one example).
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