$4.00 Crimson Lake, Columbian (244). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, near mathematically perfect centering on fresh paper

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEPTIONALLY BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED IN ANY CONDITION CATEGORY.

The $4.00 Columbian, depicting "Isabella—Columbus," is based on an unknown portrait of Queen Isabella and a portrait of Columbus from a painting by Lorenzo Lotto. The vignette was engraved by Alfred Jones and the frame and lettering by George H. Seymour. 26,350 stamps were printed from Plate 107, and according to Luff 3,357 were destroyed.

From the Nathanael Greene collection. Ex Morton. With 2013 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded to a $4.00 Columbian in any original gum category, and it is shared by only two others. The highest Mint N.H. grade is 95.

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