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 Blue (304). Mint N.H. with wide left plate no. 1538 selvage with string of plate printers' initials, intense shade and impression, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENT 1903 ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E., AND IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
The 5c stamp was used to pay the U.P.U. rate to foreign destinations and so a large quantity was printed. Despite its large printing of just over 550 million (including the rare coils and imperfs), it is difficult to obtain in such superb condition. Only seven have graded higher than 95 (three each at 95J and 98), and this is the only example we have offered in one of our auctions graded higher than 95J.
Ex "Hanover". With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $4,250.00 is too low based on its realization of $7,500 hammer in the "Hanover" sale). This is the highest grade awarded and the only to achieve it.
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H. with wide left plate no. 1538 selvage with string of plate printers' initials, intense shade and impression, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENT 1903 ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E., AND IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
The 5c stamp was used to pay the U.P.U. rate to foreign destinations and so a large quantity was printed. Despite its large printing of just over 550 million (including the rare coils and imperfs), it is difficult to obtain in such superb condition. Only seven have graded higher than 95, and the highest grade we have offered in one of our auctions is 95J.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $4,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only to achieve it.
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., spectacular color and proof-like impression, precise centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,200.00 as 95, $3,600.00 as 98), only four have graded higher to date, and only two others share this grade.
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1902 ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH WONDERFUL CONDITION.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,650.00 as 95, $5,500.00 as 98). Only two have graded higher to date, and only two others share this grade.
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., radiant color and detailed impression, unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, ex "Scarsdale", with 1998 P.F. and 2004 and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $975.00)
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., deep rich color on post office fresh paper, wide margins and precise centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $975.00)
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, wide margins, precise centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $975.00)
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., deep rich color on post office fresh paper, wide margins and precise centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00)
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., unusually choice margins and nearly perfectly centered, intense color on bright white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00)
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., gorgeous color on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00)
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression, wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00)
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., wide margins and essentially perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00)
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., bright color and proof-like impression on fresh paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00)
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,300.00)
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., radiant color and detailed impression, unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, with 1998 P.F. certificate, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,100.00)
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., deep dark color and bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp with great eye appeal, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $975.00 as 95, $2,900.00 as 98), only four have graded higher (the highest is a 98J) and only two others share this grade
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 1997 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $510.00 as 90, $1,650.00 as 95)
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H. with part imprint top selvage, uncommonly wide margins with choice centering, intense color, Extremely Fine, ex Whitman, with 1998 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $400.00)
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H. with partial imprint top selvage, uncommonly wide margins with choice centering, intense color, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $330.00)
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., choice margins and beautifully centered, marvelous deep color beautifully contrasted against bright white paper, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $510.00)
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H. with left part imprint selvage, beautiful Jumbo margins, excellent color and centering, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $275.00 as 85, $510.00 as 90)