EXTREMELY FINE GEM. GRADED SUPERB 98, THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE IN ANY CONDITION -- EITHER UNUSED OR USED -- AND USED IS SIGNIFICANTLY RARER. ONE OF THE FINEST 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE STAMPS EXTANT.
The 6c is one of the rarest of the 1869 Pictorial Re-Issues in used condition. SMQ estimates that approximately 30 exist, and our own informal count concurs. Most are either off-center or have flaws. This superb stamp is certainly the finest of the used population. There are no other 6c Re-Issues graded higher than 95 in any gum condition - original gum, no gum or used (four original gum, one no gum and one used are graded 95).
With 2015 P.F. (Superb 98) and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 95, SMQ $17,500.00 as 95). By way of comparison, in the instances where SMQ prices unused 1869 Pictorial Re-Issues at a 98 grade, it prices them approximately twice the value of a 95 (only the 1c is priced at 98 used and it is also double the 95 price). If that were to hold for this stamp, SMQ would be approximately $35,000.00