Sale 1376 — The Monterey Collection of Superb United States 19th and 20th Century Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 22 April, 2026
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 56-78a)
10c Dark Green (68a). Original gum, intense "August" shade and proof-like impression, wide balanced margins and outstanding centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE IN THE EARLY DARK GREEN SHADE, GRADED XF-90 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO AN ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE AND IT IS SHARED BY NO OTHERS.
With 1991 P.F. certificate as Yellow Green No. 68, which it clearly is not. A comparison to the No. 68 offered in the previous lot will satisfy any curiosity on this point. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate as Dark Green No. 68a (OGph, XF 90). This is the the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to an original-gum example and it is shared by no others. Even the more common Green and Yellow Green shades of No. 68 have only three original-gum stamps graded 90 or higher.
