The Merlin Collection of Superb Quality 19th and 20th Century United States Stamps continued...

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 UNWATERMARKED 8-CENT BUREAU ISSUE.

Ex Whitman. With 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $3,400.00). Only one example has graded higher in the P.S.E. Population Report (at 98) and only two others share this grade. This statistic has not changed since 2009. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MASSIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TYPE I UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E, THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $6,200.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded (for Mint N.H. one copy shares it and one Mint N.H. has graded 100) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TYPE I UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A STAMP OF TRULY MASSIVE PROPORTIONS.

P.S.E. encapsulated (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo, SMQ $3,200.00 as 95, $6,200.00 as 98). Only two have graded higher and only four others share this grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 TYPE II UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED IN ANY CATEGORY.

With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98, SMQ $11,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded in any category and only other shares this grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $2.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

With 2000 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95, SMQ $8,150.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it. The highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. example is a 90. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT.

The 1894 Unwatermarked issue was the first U.S. postage issue to be printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, after the contract with American Bank Note Co. expired. The first stamps printed by the Bureau are notoriously difficult to find well-centered, as production was marred by initial problems as they geared up to meet the needs of the public for stamps. The designs through the $1.00 repeated the 1890 ABN Co. issue, with the addition of corner triangles to distinguish the printings. The use of the same designs is another indication of the time pressure that may have caused some of the initial production problems. Perhaps the two most difficult denominations to find in superb condition are the $1.00 Type II (Scott 261A), and the $5.00.

With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100, unpriced above the grade of 98, SMQ $20,900.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and no others share it. Collectors waiting for a Mint N.H. example in higher grades will have a very long wait -- the highest grade awarded thus far to a Mint N.H. copy is 80. (Image)

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