Sale 1351 — The Vaquero Collection of Gem-Quality 19th and 20th Century United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday, 15 May, 2025
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)
2c Copper Red, Trans-Mississippi (286). Mint N.H., magnificent color on bright paper, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE ON THE GRADING CHART AND IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT.
Our review of the Trans-Mississippi Issue in the P.S.E. Population Report revealed just how rare this stamp is in the top grades. There is only one other example from the entire Trans-Mississippi Issue (either Mint N.H. or hinged) that has been graded Gem 100 Jumbo—a Mint N.H. 1c, which we last offered in 2012. A further review shows that there are only nine stamps in the entire issue (again, Mint N.H. or hinged) that have been awarded a Gem 100 grade.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98J, SMQ $5,500 as 100).
