Three things to keep in mind when looking at the above results (unsolds are not included):
It is important to look at the individual data points listed below. Price swings up may be due to varieties such as broken hat or other positives such as cancels. Price swings down may be due to factors such as faults on items that would have graded higher if they were sound, and may not be considered as desirable as a sound copy in this grade.
When looking at multiple grades on the graph, grades with the same population numbers may show overlapping.
At the time of an auction, the SMQ value has already been published and is available to bidders. Increases or decreases in SMQ value prior to the auction may affect the price realized.
This information is provided for hobbyists and is not intended to represent philatelic material as an investment or financial instrument. Past performance is neither an indication nor guarantee of future performance. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, but Siegel Auction Galleries (including its representatives and affiliates) is not liable for errors or omissions of any kind. "SMQ" refers to Stamp Market Quarterly, a copyrighted publication, and the information is used with the copyright holder's permission.
15c Yellow Orange (163). Vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, outstanding centering with Jumbo margins, cork cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 15-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT.
The 15c American Bank Note Company issue, Scott 189, can be found with wide margins and is a much more common issue. This availability causes many collectors to infer that earlier issues such as the 1873 Continental printing are also readily available with wide margins. This is simply not the case. A review using Power Search of used and unused copies to review margin size and centering for the issue found only one which compares favorably to the example offered here, from our sale of the Natalee Grace collection (Sale 1027, lot 75).
With 2010 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 95, SMQ $1,000.00 as 95). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no others
15c Yellow Orange (163). Vibrant color nicely complemented by ultramarine radial cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp, with 2001 P.F. and 2005 and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,000.00), only one grades higher (at 95J, ex Kirke) and one other shares this grade (ex Bowman), the example offered here is the only one of the three with a colored cancel
15c Yellow Orange (163). Vibrant color, light strike of large target cancel, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a surprisingly difficult issue to obtain in the higher grades, with 2001 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,000.00), only one has graded higher (at 95J) and only two others share this grade
15c Yellow Orange (163). Intense shade, well-balanced margins, neat strike of circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, ex Merlin and Curtis, with 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $350.00)
15c Reddish Orange (163 var) Gorgeous color in this deeper richer shade, choice centering and margins on bright paper, New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $340.00 as Yellow Orange)
15c Yellow Orange (163). Vibrant color, well-proportioned margins, well-struck circle of wedges cancel, additional red cancel at top left, Extremely Fine, an attractive stamp, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $300.00)
15c Yellow Orange (163). Three incredibly wide Jumbo margins and wide at bottom, vivid color, large bold circle of "V's" cancel, Extremely Fine, an eye-catching beauty, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80 Jumbo; SMQ $150.00 as 80, $240.00 as 85)