Price History for US Scott 245 in Used 85J Grade
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Show all gradesThree 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.
Date
$5.00 Columbian (245). Perfectly centered with wide margins approaching Jumbo proportions, intense shade and proof-like impression, neat registry cancel leaves design completely visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO ANY USED DOLLAR VALUE COLUMBIAN.
The dollar-value Columbians are extremely difficult to obtain in superb used condition. Of the five different dollar denominations, a total of eight copies have been graded 98 and none have been graded higher (four $2.00 and two each of the $3.00 and $5.00). None of the $1.00 or $4.00 stamps have graded 98. The $5.00 denomination was not designed to pay any actual postage rate, and collectors protested the high cost. Only 21,844 were sold, and a small percentage of those were used, either on philatelic covers or on heavy registered parcels. The stamps on parcels or registered mail were frequently heavily cancelled, and the large package wrappers were susceptible to damage. The stamp offered here is a notable exception. It is lightly cancelled for a registered use, the paper is fresh and bright and it is perfectly centered. It is a true condition rarity.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $13,500.00). Only one other used stamp shares this grade, from our 2012 sale of the Natalee Grace collection.
$5.00 Columbian (245). Perfectly centered with unusually wide margins, intense shade and proof-like impression, long and full perforations all around, unobtrusive cancel at upper rightEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENALLY BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN. THIS STUNNING STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
The dollar-value Columbians are extremely difficult to obtain in superb used condition. For the five denominations a total of seven copies have graded 98 and none have graded higher, as illustrated in the chart below. None has graded 98 for the $1.00 and $4.00, and this is the only $5.00 to receive this grade. The denomination was not designed to pay any actual postage rate, and collectors protested the high cost. Only 21,844 were sold, and only a small percentage of those were used, either on philatelic covers or on heavy registered parcels. The stamps on parcels or registered mail were frequently heavily cancelled, and the large package wrappers were susceptible to damage. The stamp offered here is a notable exception. It is lightly cancelled, the paper is fresh and bright, the impression and shade and beautiful, and it is perfectly centered. It is truly a condition rarity.
With 1988 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ does not price this in the grade of 98, SMQ $6,850.00 as 95). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade.
Date
$5.00 Columbian (245). Exceptional centering with wide and balanced margins, intense shade on bright paper, face-free target cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY BOTH THE P.F. AND P.S.E.
The dollar-value Columbians are extremely difficult to obtain in superb used condition. None of the denominations were issued to pay any actual postage rate, and collectors protested the high cost. Only 21,844 of the $5.00 were sold, and a small percentage of those were used, either on philatelic covers or on heavy registered parcels. The stamps on parcels or registered mail were frequently heavily cancelled, and the large package wrappers were susceptible to damage. The stamp offered here is a notable exception. It has a face-free cancel and beautifully balanced margins.
With 2014 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,750.00). Only one grades higher (at 98).
$5.00 Columbian (245). Exceptional centering with wide and balanced margins, intense shade on bright paper, face-free target cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUSTANDING USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
The dollar-value Columbians are extremely difficult to obtain in superb used condition. None of the denominations were issued to pay any actual postage rate, and collectors protested the high cost. Only 21,844 of the $5.00 were sold, and a small percentage of those were used, either on philatelic covers or on heavy registered parcels. The stamps on parcels or registered mail were frequently heavily cancelled, and the large package wrappers were susceptible to damage. The stamp offered here is a notable exception. It has a face-free cancel and beautifully balanced margins.
With 1980 P.F., 2003 and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,750.00). Only two examples grade higher (both 98, one ex "Natalee Grace" and the other offered in Sale 1140, Lot 638).
$5.00 Columbian (245). Exceptional centering with wide and balanced margins, intense shade and razor-sharp impression, light face-free target cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN, WHICH IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
The dollar-value Columbians are extremely difficult to obtain in superb used condition. None of the denominations were issued to pay any actual postage rate, and collectors protested the high cost. Only 21,844 of the $5.00 were sold, and a small percentage of those were used, either on philatelic covers or on heavy registered parcels. The stamps on parcels or registered mail were frequently heavily cancelled, and the large package wrappers were susceptible to damage. The stamp offered here is a notable exception. It is lightly cancelled and has balanced margins.
With 2010 and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,750.00). Only two examples have graded higher (both 98, one ex "Natalee Grace" and the other offered in Siegel Sale 1140, Lot 638).
$5.00 Columbian (245). Remarkably well-centered with balanced margins, bold color and proof-like impression, lightly cancelledEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A HANDSOME USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN, WHICH IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
The dollar-value Columbians are extremely difficult to obtain in superb used condition. This denomination was not designed to pay any actual postage rate, and collectors protested the high cost. Only 21,844 were sold, and only a small percentage of those were used, either on philatelic covers or on heavy registered parcels. The stamps on parcels or registered mail were frequently heavily cancelled, and the large package wrappers were susceptible to damage. The stamp offered here is a notable exception. It is lightly cancelled and has balanced margins.
P.S.E. Encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,750.00). Only two examples grade higher (both 98, one ex "Natalee Grace" and the other offered in Siegel Sale 1140, Lot 638).
$5.00 Columbian (245). Precise centering with unusually wide margins, intense shade and proof-like impression, neat circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN FEATURING EXCEPTIONAL CENTERING, A NEAT CANCEL AND OVERALL FRESHNESS.
The dollar-value Columbians are extremely difficult to obtain in superb used condition. This denomination was not designed to pay any actual postage rate, and collectors protested the high cost. Only 21,844 of the $5.00 were sold, and only a small percentage of those were used, either on philatelic covers or on heavy registered parcels. The stamps on parcels or registered mail were frequently heavily cancelled, and the large package wrappers were susceptible to damage. The stamp offered here is a notable exception. It is attractively cancelled and has balanced margins.
With 2009 and 2016 P.F. certificates. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,750.00). Only two examples have graded higher (both 98, one ex "Natalee Grace" and the other offered in Siegel Sale 1140, Lot 638).
$5.00 Columbian (245). Choice centering with wide margins, intense shade and proof-like impression, neat strike of New York 1894 circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN COMBINING CENTERING, FRESHNESS AND AN ATTRACTIVE CANCEL.
The dollar-value Columbians are extremely difficult to obtain in superb used condition. This denomination was not designed to pay any actual postage rate, and collectors protested the high cost. Only 21,844 of the $5.00 were sold, and only a small percentage of those were used, either on philatelic covers or on heavy registered parcels. The stamps on parcels or registered mail were frequently heavily cancelled, and the large package wrappers were susceptible to damage. The stamp offered here is a notable exception. It is attractively cancelled and has balanced margins.
Ex Kirke. With 2000 and 2005 P.F. certificates. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,750.00). Only two examples have graded higher, offered in the "Natalee Grace" collection (Siegel Sale 1027, lot 130) and Siegel Sale 1140, Lot 638
$5.00 Columbian (245). Choice centering with wide margins, intense shade and proof-like impression, neat strike of New York 1894 circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN COMBINING CENTERING, FRESHNESS AND AN ATTRACTIVE CANCEL.
The dollar-value Columbians are extremely difficult to obtain in superb used condition. This denomination was not designed to pay any actual postage rate, and collectors protested the high cost. Only 21,844 were sold, and only a small percentage of those were used, either on philatelic covers or on heavy registered parcels. The stamps on parcels or registered mail were frequently heavily cancelled, and the large package wrappers were susceptible to damage. The stamp offered here is a notable exception. It is attractively cancelled and has balanced margins.
With 2000 and 2005 P.F. certificates. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,500.00). Only one example has graded higher, offered in the Natalie Grace collection (Siegel Sale 1027, lot 130)
Date
$5.00 Black, Columbian (245). Crisp impression, wide and balanced margins, neat strike of circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN.
With 2021 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,850.00)
$5.00 Columbian (245). Wide margins and particularly well-centered, bold color and sharp impression, neat New Bedford Mass. circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2018 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,850.00)
$5.00 Columbian (245). Exceptionally wide margins and well-centered, bold color and sharp impression, uncharacteristically light circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,850.00)
$5.00 Columbian (245). Intense shade and impression on bright paper, New York oval registry cancelEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,750.00)
$5.00 Columbian (245). Intense shade and impression on bright paper, gorgeous centering with well-balanced margins, unobtrusive strike of target cancel at top rightEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $3,100.00). Only six have graded higher to date and only five others share this grade.
$5.00 Columbian (245). Exceptionally wide margins and near-perfect centering, fabulous intense color on bright white paper with clear impressionEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE USED $5.00 COLUMBIAN STAMPS WE HAVE SEEN.
With 1992 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $3,100.00). Only six have graded higher to date and only five others share this grade.
Date
$5.00 Columbian (245). Beautifully centered with Jumbo margins, deep dark color on fresh paper, bold cancel still leaves design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE. A MASSIVE USED $5.00 COLUMBIAN. RARE WITH SUCH HUGE MARGINS.
Ex "Tahoe". With 2004 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $2,275.00)
Date
$5.00 Columbian (245). Crisp impression, light registry oval cancel, unpunched perf at bottom left, Very Fine, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (F-VF 75; SMQ $875.00)