Gem-Quality United States Stamps continued...

EXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 1897 ONE-CENT BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $2,600.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other. This is the first in this grade we have offered. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN THE FINEST ATTAINABLE CONDITION. THIS GEM IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.

With 2005 (showing part imprint selvage) and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $3,100.00). This is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to a Scott 280, and it has been equaled by only one other (Image)

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Get Market Data for [United States 280a]

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN THE ORANGE BROWN SHADE. THIS STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to a Scott 280b, and it has been equaled no others (Image)

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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 (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1898 5-CENT BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.

With 1991 and 2006 P.F. certificates (Superb 98) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB 6-CENT 1898 BUREAU ISSUE IS GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

Ex "Hanover". With 2008 and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; SMQ $9,100.00). Only one other Mint N.H. stamp graded 100 is listed in the P.S.E. Population Report (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1898 10-CENT BROWN TYPE I ISSUE, WITH THE ADDED FEATURE OF A PLATE NUMBER. THIS STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

In 1898, the 10c stamp was changed from Green (Scott 273) to Brown because the 1c denomination (Scott 279) was changed to Green to meet the Universal Postal Union color scheme. The 5c was also changed -- to Dark Blue. To avoid confusion the 10c and 15c denominations were both changed.

With 1997 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $17,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to a Scott 282C, with none equal. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1898 10-CENT TYPE I, SCOTT 282C. THIS STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY TWO HAVE GRADED HIGHER.

With 2003 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,250.00). Only two have graded higher (at 95J and 98) and only two others share this desirable grade. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT TYPE II 1898 BUREAU ISSUE WITH VERTICAL WATERMARK, SCOTT 283a.

According to Brookman, the 10c Type II has the same die type characteristics as the 1890 American Bank Note Company Issue (with the tips of the foliate ornaments impinging on the curved line below "Ten"). He surmised that this means it was likely made prior to Type I (Scott 282C), which shows an altered die in the area of that circle (with foliate tips that do not impinge). In the 2007 Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue, the listings for Type II were clarified to include both the horizontal (283) and vertical (283a) watermarks. In an article in the 2007 Scott U.S. Specialized, author Kenneth E. Diehl notes that the 10c stamps with vertical watermarks were printed from plates of 200 subjects, and were put on the presses in early 1902. The horizontal watermarked stamps (Scott 283) were printed from sheets of 400 stamps and were printed first.

It is curious to note that the vertical watermarked issue, Scott 283a, was printed after the 10c Trans-Mississippi and 10c Pan-American Issues, and only a short time before the 10c 1902 Issue, Scott 307, was printed (EDU March 12, 1903). We must therefore conclude that this issue was printed in limited quantities.

With 2006 P.F. certificate not specifying the watermark orientation (issued before listings were supplemented so certified as Scott 283, XF-Superb 95). With 2007 P.S.E. certificate as Scott 283a (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,000.00). Only two examples grade higher (highest is 100) and one other shares this grade (Image)

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Get Market Data for [United States 283]