2c Brown (157). Immaculate
original gum in Mint N.H. state, deep rich color and well-defined
impression on bright paper, long full perforations all around, perfect
centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEEDINGLY FRESH MINT NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT BROWN CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE ISSUE. SUPERB IN EVERY RESPECT.
With 1999 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail for hinged (Image)
6c Dull Pink (159).
Pristine Mint N.H. state, fresh color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE. THE 6-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL IS EXTREMELY SCARCE IN THIS CHOICE MINT NEVER HINGED CONDITION.
With 1999 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail for hinged (Image)
7c Orange Vermilion (160).
Original gum, vivid color and intense proof-like impression on bright white
paperEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THIS 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)
12c Blackish Violet (162).
Original gum, lightly hinged, incredibly deep rich color on fresh paper,
unusually well-centeredEXTREMELY FINE AND CHOICE 12-CENT CONTINENTAL -- ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT BANK NOTE ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN THIS OUTSTANDING CONDITION.
With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)
30c Greenish Black (165).
Original gum, lightly hinged, soft charcoal gray shade with a greenish cast
that is unique to the Continental printing, fine impression on fresh
paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 30-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
Lost among the 1870 National Grilled and Ungrilled Issues, 1875 Continental and 1880 American Bank Note Special Printings, and the 1879 and 1888 American Issues is the 30c 1873 Continental printing. Scott 165 is distinguished from its National counterpart by shade and the shape of the perforations, and from its 1879 American counterpart by paper. Many philatelists -- even intermediate and advanced collectors -- have difficulty classifying Scott 165. When it comes to naming the most elusive Bank Note stamps in choice original-gum condition, the 30c 1873 is often overlooked. However, go to any serious collection and look for this stamp, and most of the time it is missing or represented by something that compromises quality. The 30-cent 1870 is frequently found filling the space for Scott 165. The 30c Continental is extremely rare in any original-gum condition that approaches this example. Blocks have always been rare -- for example, Caspary did not have one, Lilly had one well-centered block of four and an off-center block of six -- which means that singles could not be harvested from multiples. We hope that collectors who still have a tendency to overlook the 30c Continental will be awakened to its rarity in Extremely Fine original-gum condition by our comments.
With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)
30c Greenish Black,
Continental Grill (165c). Unused (no gum), clear and easily
recognizable Continental grill points on crisp white paper in a greenish
shade typical of Continental printings, fine impression and fresh color,
slight paper fold -- probably caused by grilling -- which is described on
accompanying certificate as a faint vertical creaseVERY FINE AND POSSIBLY UNIQUE. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT CONTINENTAL GRILLED STAMP CERTIFIED AS GENUINE BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
It is believed that the Continental grills were made experimentally in 1876, after a stamp-cleaning court trial renewed fears of stamp re-use. The primary source of the rare J Grills was the Worthington collection, which was dispersed in 1917. It is believed that most or all examples in collectors' hands came from the archive of Charles F. Steel, who patented the grilling machines used between 1867 and 1873.
With 1957 and 1997 P.F. certificates. (Image)
2c Vermilion, Continental
Grill (178c). Original gum, lightly hinged, sharp grill, vibrant color,
perfectly centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE AND EXCEEDINGLY CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT VERMILION CONTINENTAL PRINTING WITH GRILL.
This stamp is rarely encountered in sound Extremely Fine condition.
Ex Braus and Klein. With 1998 P.F. certificate for pair (Image)