Sale 1351 — The Vaquero Collection of Gem-Quality 19th and 20th Century United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday, 15 May, 2025
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 230-245)
$1.00 Salmon, Columbian (241). Mint N.H. with part imprint selvage at right, radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, fantastic centering with wide and balanced margins on all sides, long and full perforations all around
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH DEPICTS THE FAMOUS SCENE OF QUEEN ISABELLA PLEDGING HER JEWELS. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF BOTH XF-SUPERB 95 AND XF-90 BY P.S.E.
According to Brookman, only 55,050 copies of the $1.00 Columbian were issued. It was sold out before all of the other dollar values, probably because it was the most affordable of the dollar-value stamps. Speculation soon drove the price to $5.00 but it soon fell again, to about $1.50.
The theme of the stamp, Isabella pledging her jewels to finance Columbus's voyage, is known to most fifth-grade students who study the voyage of Columbus. However, the offer was never accepted, as financing was found elsewhere.
With 2001 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). With 2025 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90). We are surprised P.S.E. lowered the previous XF-Superb 95 grade, as this stamp has centering that is far superior to other examples graded XF 90. SMQ $35,000 as 95. SMQ $15,000 as 90.
