Price History for US Scott 261 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
$1.00 Black (261). Perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, intense shade and proof-like impression on bright paper, neat strike of oval registry cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS PHENOMENAL STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE. TRULY STUNNING IN EVERY RESPECT.
The $1.00 Type I, which is defined as having an incomplete circle around the left "$1", occurred on 150 of the 200 subjects of Plate 76. However, the $1.00 unwatermarked stamps are notorious for having small margins. To date only one has graded 95 and two have graded 98. A comparison to one of the 98's, offered in our Sale 946 (lot 739), demonstrates the significant difference in margin size. Far fewer of the unwatermarked stamps were issued compared to its watermarked counterpart -- 26,284 of Scott 261 were issued compared to 192,449 of the watermarked Scott 276. They were mostly used on parcels or other oversize or heavy mailings. The stamps on these mailings tend to be damaged from use or were discarded, resulting in a small population of sound used stamps. Linn's Stamp Facts estimates less than ten covers are known.
With 1999 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $8,400.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade.
Date
$1.00 Black (261). Uncharacteristically wide margins for this issue and perfectly centered, very light cancel, bright and freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A NOTEWORTHY USED STAMP, AS THE 1894 FIRST BUREAU ISSUE $1.00 STAMPS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING SMALL MARGINS AND POOR CENTERING, AS WELL AS HEAVY CANCELS. THIS REMARKABLE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
The $1.00 Type I, which is defined as having an incomplete circle around the left "$1", occurred on 150 of the 200 subjects of Plate 76. However, the $1.00 unwatermarked stamps are notorious for having small margins. To date there are no stamps graded 100, only one has graded 98J, the example offered in the Natalee Grace collection (Sale 1027, lot 138), though it also has a heavier cancel. Only this example along with one other have graded 98. Far fewer of the unwatermarked stamps were issued compared to its watermarked counterpart -- 26,284 of Scott 261 were issued compared to 192,449 of the watermarked Scott 276. They were mostly used on parcels or other oversize or heavy mailings. The stamps on these mailings tend to be damaged from use or were discarded, resulting in a small population of sound used stamps.
With 2011 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $8,400.00).
$1.00 Black (261). Uncharacteristically wide margins for this issue and perfectly centered as well, very light cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A NOTEWORTHY USED STAMP, AS THE FIRST BUREAU ISSUE $1.00 STAMPS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING SMALL MARGINS AND POOR CENTERING, AS WELL AS HEAVY CANCELS. THIS REMARKABLE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $5,250.00). This is the only Scott 261 to achieve this exalted P.S.E. grade (none higher in the P.S.E. Population Report)
Date
$1.00 Black (261). Exceptionally wide margins and nearly perfectly centered, beautiful impression on bright white paper, unobtrusive cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A WONDERFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 TYPE I UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,000.00). This is the only example to achieve this grade and only two have graded higher
$1.00 Black (261). Exceptionally wide margins and nearly perfectly centered, beautiful impression on bright white paper, unobtrusive cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A WONDERFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 TYPE I UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,750.00). This is the only example to achieve this grade and only one grades higher (Superb 98)
Date
$1.00 Black (261). Astonishing Jumbo margins, deep shade and impression on bright paper, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, ex Bowman, with 1994 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $1,850.00), we are surprised this did not grade 95J
$1.00 Black (261). Astonishing Jumbo margins, deep shade and impression on bright paper, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 1994 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $1,850.00), we are surprised this did not grade 95J
$1.00 Black (261). Exceptionally wide margins and choice centering, unobtrusive cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $1,000.00 as 90, $3,250.00 as 95), only three have graded higher to date
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$1.00 Black (261). Handsomely centered, oval numeral grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,000.00)
Date
$1.00 Black (261). Extraordinary Jumbo margins, well-centered, part of oval numeral grid from a duplex cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2008P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $560.00 as 85, $910.00 as 95), this is the only one in this grade with only three higher
Date
$1.00 Black (261). Excellent centering, lightly cancelled, sharp impression, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $600.00)