Price History for Scott 293 in OGnh 85 Grade
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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.
Date
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Mint N.H., radiant color and proof-like impression on bright paper, as fresh as the day it was printed, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. A WONDERFUL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT -- THE COLOR IS BEAUTIFUL, THE PAPER IS FRESH, THE IMPRESSION IS INTENSE AND THE GUM IS ABSOLUTELY PRISTINE. THIS STUNNING STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
According to Brookman, the design is based on the famed Eads Bridge that spans the Mississippi River at St. Louis. The river has long been considered the dividing line between East and West, and is a fitting theme for this issue.
All of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi stamps were printed in a single day's run on June 3, 1898. The $2.00 was printed in sheets that have narrower spacing between the horizontal rows than between the vertical columns. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to obtain stamps with top and bottom margins that equal the sides. This stamp essentially achieves that unnatural effect, which could only occur when the horizontal perforations were applied in such a way that the holes impinged on the space allocated to the rows above and below.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $55,400.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only three others share this grade.
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, as fresh as the day it was printed, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. A WONDERFUL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT -- THE COLOR IS BEAUTIFUL, THE PAPER IS FRESH, THE IMPRESSION IS INTENSE AND THE GUM IS ABSOLUTELY PRISTINE. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY THREE EXAMPLES OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI TO ACHIEVE THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95.
Looking at this stamp, we are compelled to ask the question, if this is a 95, what is a 98 or 100? The $2.00 Trans-Mississippi was printed in sheets that have narrower spacing between the horizontal rows than between the vertical columns. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to obtain stamps with top and bottom margins that equal the sides. This stamp essentially achieves that unnatural effect, which could only occur when the horizontal perforations were applied in such a way that the holes impinged on the space allocated to the rows above and below.
Ex Scarsdale. 1978 and 2000 P.F. certificates no longer accompany. P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $55,400.00)
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, as fresh as the day it was printed, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. A WONDERFUL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT -- THE COLOR IS BEAUTIFUL, THE PAPER IS FRESH, THE IMPRESSION IS INTENSE AND THE GUM IS ABSOLUTELY PRISTINE. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY TWO EXAMPLES OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI TO ACHIEVE THE EXALTED GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95.
Looking at this stamp, we are compelled to ask the question, if this is a 95, what is a 98 or 100? The $2.00 Trans-Mississippi was printed in sheets that have narrower spacing between the horizontal rows than between the vertical columns. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to obtain stamps with top and bottom margins that equal the sides. This stamp essentially achieves that unnatural effect, which could only occur when the horizontal perforations were applied in such a way that the holes impinged on the space allocated to the rows above and below.
With 1978 and 2000 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $26,500.00)
Date
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Mint N.H., rich color, detailed impression, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
All of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi stamps were printed in a single day's run on June 3, 1898. The $2.00 was printed in sheets that have narrower spacing between the horizontal rows than between the vertical columns. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to obtain stamps with top and bottom margins that equal the sides.
With 1979 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $8,500.00). Only six Mint N.H. examples have graded higher (3 at 90, 3 at 95).
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Mint N.H., well-centered within uncommonly wide margins, extraordinarily fresh, rich color and deeply-etched impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE. A HANDSOME AND SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.
This stamp was once part of a famous block of ten (position 8) containing eight Mint N.H. examples that was offered in the 1989 Chrisite's sale of the Weill Brothers' stock. All of the stamps in that block are incredibly fresh and pristine. The six middle stamps are particularly well centered and margined. The block was broken up right after the sale. The majority of Extremely Fine Mint N.H. singles of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi offered in the last 25 years emanated from that block.
With 1991 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $8,500.00)
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Mint N.H., wide margins and choice centering, rich color, detailed impression on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE. A SCARCE SOUND AND CENTERED MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 2012 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $8,500.00). Only six Mint N.H. stamps have been graded higher (three at 90 and three at 95)
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, choice centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With copy of older P.F. certificate for large multiple and with 1999 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $8,950.00). Only five examples have graded higher to date (top is 95)