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.
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, perfectly centered with incredibly wide Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 5-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,850.00 as 98). This is the only example to have achieved this grade to date. An example graded Superb 98 realized $3,250 hammer in our Sale 976.
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, perfectly centered with beautifully proportioned margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1898 5-CENT BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate showing top part imprint selvage (Superb 98; SMQ $3,750.00, the imprint selvage is detached but accompanies). Only one has been graded higher (at 98J) and only four others share this grade
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H. with top part imprint selvage, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, perfectly centered with beautifully proportioned margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1898 5-CENT BUREAU ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,750.00). Only one has been graded higher (at 98J) and only three others share this grade. We are not aware of any others in this population with part imprint selvage (at least three of the four are in Power Search and do not have selvage)
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, perfectly centered with well-proportioned margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 5-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2001 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,850.00). Only one has graded higher to date (at 98J) and only one other shares this grade.
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., lovely margins and flawless centering, beautiful rich color on bright paper
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING 5-CENT 1898 BUREAU ISSUE WITH A P.S.E. GRADE OF SUPERB 98.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,950.00). This is the only Mint N.H. No. 281 graded 98 (one higher, 98J) in the P.S.E. Population Report
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, beautiful centering with unusually wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, ex "Scarsdale" and "Hanover", with 1986 and 2000 P.F. certificates, with 2004 and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,300.00), only seven grade higher (highest is 98J)
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., intense shade on fresh paper, outstanding centering and margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,250.00)
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., magnificent wide margins, impeccable centering, wonderful depth of color on crisp white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,250.00), only six have graded higher
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, ex Curtis, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,250.00), only four have been graded higher
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, beautiful centering with unusually wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, ex "Scarsdale", with 1986 and 2000 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,250.00), only four have graded higher (one 98J and three 98)
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Dr. Morris and Merlin, with 1990 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $725.00), only four have graded higher
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $725.00)
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1990 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $725.00), only four have graded higher
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., magnificent wide margins of near Jumbo proportions and with impeccable centering, wonderful depth of color on crisp white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00), particularly pleasing and desirable example of the 5c 1898 Issue
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1985 and 1996 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00), only one has graded higher to date
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00)
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., bright shade on post-office fresh paper, unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, with 1990 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00), only one has graded higher to date
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, beautiful centering with unusually wide margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1898 5-CENT DARK BLUE BUREAU ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF 95 BY P.S.E..
With 1986 and 2000 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date; only four others have achieved this grade
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., intense color and detailed impression, perfect centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1991 P.F. certificate and 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 1995 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $325.00)
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., essentially perfectly balanced margins, strong color and excellent impression, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $250.00)
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $310.00)
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H. with partial imprint in wide bottom selvage, deep rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine, with 1997 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90)