Price History for Scott 245 in OGnh 90 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). Mint N.H., perfectly centered with massive margins evenly framing design, intense shade and proof-like impression on brilliant white paper, long full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE IN EXISETNCE. THIS PHENOMENAL STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND ONE OF ONLY THREE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
The $5.00 Columbian features a portrait of Columbus which was taken from the design of a contemporary medal cast in Madrid. A 50-cent coin was also minted for the Columbian Exposition based on the original medal, and the stamp's design was taken from this twice-removed design.
For many collectors, acquisition of the $5.00 Columbian represents the ultimate achievement in classic philately. When issued in 1893, this was the highest denomination and first $5.00 United States stamp. The high total face value of the dollar value Columbians represented a very significant expense to collectors and therefore sales were slow. A total of 21,844 were issued.
We could not begin to count the number of $5.00 Columbian stamps sold by the Siegel firm over 80 years. However, the number of Extremely Fine, Mint Never Hinged, examples is very limited. Due to the high face value multiples are very rare. For much of philatelic history stamps were hinged into albums. This fact, plus the lack of multiples, explains the scarcity of Mint N.H. copies. The stamp offered here is certainly a contender for the top position of any we have ever encountered.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $87,900.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only two others share this grade. The next-highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. example is a 90 (one copy) and then an 80 (three copies).
Date
$5.00 Columbian (245). Mint N.H., detailed impression with every nuance of the design clearly etched, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins all around, crisp paper as fresh as the day it was made, tiny natural fiber inclusion within design mentioned only for total accuracy and correctly ignored on all accompanying certificatesEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONLY THREE MINT NEVER-HINGED $5.00 COLUMBIAN STAMPS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED IN GRADES OF 90 OR 95 BY PROFESSIONAL STAMP EXPERTS, AND WE REGARD THIS EXAMPLE AS AN EQUAL AMONG THEM.
The P.S.E. Population Report lists three Mint N.H. examples of the $5.00 Columbian: one XF 90 and two XF-Superb 95. We know of three other Mint N.H. stamps that might achieve comparable grades when certified, but none have been certified in the past ten years.
Comparing this stamp with the two previously graded XF-Superb 95, we have difficulty reconciling why this stamp did not achieve a 95 grade. Its margins are wide and balanced, the perforations are fully formed, and the shade and paper are extraordinarily fresh. While microscopic measurements might show a very slight difference between the left and right margins, we still feel strongly that this stamp meets all criteria for XF-Superb 95.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 1992 and 2000 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $30,000.00)
$5.00 Columbian (245). Mint N.H., detailed impression with every nuance of the design clearly etched, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins all around, crisp paper as fresh as the day it was made, tiny natural fiber inclusion within design mentioned only for total accuracy and correctly ignored on all accompanying certificatesEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONLY THREE MINT NEVER-HINGED $5.00 COLUMBIAN STAMPS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED IN GRADES OF 90 OR 95 BY PROFESSIONAL STAMP EXPERTS, AND WE REGARD THIS EXAMPLE AS AN EQUAL AMONG THEM.
The P.S.E. Population Report lists three Mint N.H. examples of the $5.00 Columbian: one XF 90 and two XF-Superb 95. We know of three other Mint N.H. stamps that might achieve comparable grades when certified.
Comparing this stamp with the two previously graded XF-Superb 95, we have difficulty reconciling why this stamp did not achieve a 95 grade. Its margins are wide and balanced, the perforations are fully formed, and the shade and paper are extraordinarily fresh. While microscopic measurements might show a very slight difference between the left and right margins, we still feel strongly that this stamp meets all criteria for XF-Superb 95.
With 1992 and 2000 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $25,000.00)
Date
$5.00 Columbian (245). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, wide margins for this issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
Ex Hoffman. With 2004 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; SMQ $11,000.00). Only three have graded higher to date (the highest is a 95) and only two others share this grade.
$5.00 Columbian (245). Mint N.H., crisp impression, well-balanced marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN..
The number of Extremely Fine, Mint Never-Hinged examples of the $5.00 Columbian is extremely small. Only twelve Mint N.H. stamps are in the P.S.E. Population Report, and only half of those grade 80 or better.
With 2002 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; SMQ $11,000.00)
$5.00 Columbian (245). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, wide margins for this issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2004 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; SMQ $10,500.00)
$5.00 Columbian (245). Mint N.H., choice centering with well-balanced margins, beautifully detailed impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A REMARKABLY CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN..
The number of Extremely Fine, Mint Never-Hinged examples of the $5.00 Columbian is extremely limited. This stamp is a true condition rarity.
With 2002 P.S.E. and P.F. certificates. P.S.E. encapsulated (VF 80; SMQ $10,200.00)
Date
$5.00 Columbian (245). Mint N.H. with part imprint selvage at left, intense shade and impression, long and full perforationsVERY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN.
The number of Extremely Fine, Mint Never-Hinged examples of the $5.00 Columbian is extremely limited. Using Power Search, we found that we have averaged selling only one or two a year in any grade. This stamp comes from a vertical imprint pair that was broken years ago.
With 1992 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (F-VF 75)