Price History for Scott 98 in OG
Show Grade on Graph
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
15c Black, F. Grill (98). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright shade, detailed impression, clearly-defined grill, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 15-CENT F GRILL IN EXISTENCE. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS ATTAINED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS BY FAR THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE. THIS STAMP IS OFFERED TO THE MARKET FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A DECADE.
The ungrilled version of this issue was released in 1866, about one year after President Lincoln was assassinated. It is regarded by many to be America's first commemorative issue, memorializing the martyred president as the nation started to heal from the wounds of the Civil War. In 1868 it was issued with two grill types, the E Grill (Scott 91) and F Grill (Scott 98). 15c usually paid the registration fee on domestic mail or the U.S.-French treaty rate.
Although some of the 15c F Grill blocks have been broken to furnish choice singles, we were unable to locate any other stamps among multiples that would qualify for the coveted P.S.E. grade of Superb 98.
Ex Concord, Morris and Weisman. With 1987 and 1994 P.F. and 1998 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date, and this is the only example awarded this grade. Accompanied by note from master grader Dr. William Litle which reads "I think this is the first 98 Scott No. 77, 91 or 98 of any kind".
