3c Rose, C. Grill (83).
Original gum, clearly-defined grill, rich color, Fine, scarce in sound
original-gum condition, with 1999 P.S.E. certificate
(Image)
2c Black, D. Grill (84).
Perfectly centered, deep shade, lightly cancelled by blue-black target,
full clear grill impression showing the requisite 15 columns of
pointsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. APART FROM THE A AND Z GRILL RARITIES, THE 2-CENT 1868 D GRILL IS THE RAREST OF ALL GRILLED ISSUES. PROBABLY FEWER THAN TEN COPIES EXIST IN THIS SUPERB CONDITION.
The device equipped with the D Grill was refitted with the E Grill on or about February 9, 1868. Based on the earliest known usages of the 2c D Grill (2/15/68) and 3c E Grill (2/19/68), it is our theory that the conversion from the D to E Grill took place only a day or so after sheets of 2c stamps were first run through the D-equipped machine. The great rarity of 2c D Grills, relative to all other regular-production grills, bears out this theory.
With 1999 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail for Fine centering (Image)
2c Black, D. Grill (84).
Intense shade, clearly-defined grill points, grid cancel, Very Fine, scarce
(Image)
2c Black, D. Grill (84).
Dark color, clear grill impression, bold "New York Nov. 23" circular
datestamp, small diagonal crease and tiny corner crease, otherwise Very
Fine example of this challenging issue, with 2001 P.F. certificate (Image)
3c Rose, D. Grill (85).
Unused (no gum), strong grill impression, well-centered on fresh paper with
long full perfs all around, added perf and small crease, otherwise
Extremely Fine, an incredibly rare stamp in centered unused condition, with
2003 P.S.E. certificate (Image)
3c Rose, D. Grill (85).
Clear and complete grill impression, quartered cork cancel, Fine, with 1988
P.F. certificate (Image)
3c Rose, D. Grill (85).
Lightened cancel (appears unused), strong grill impression, small thin spot
and tiny tear, appears Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate
(Image)
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B).
Well centered with huge margins for this stamp, full and clearly-defined
grill showing all of the points, well-struck circle of diamonds cancel,
long full perfsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AMONG THE FINEST EXISTING USED EXAMPLES OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL. AN OUTSTANDING STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
If this stamp was an ungrilled 2c Black Jack, it would merit the highest rank among used examples. The plates used to print these stamps failed to provide enough space between subjects for the large 12-gauge perf holes. Consequently, most Black Jack stamps have perfs touching the design on one or two sides. This scarcity of centered copies multiplies exponentially when the Z Grill is factored into the equation. Only a small quantity of 2c sheets were grilled during the period when the Z device was active -- after the D Grill, the Z is the rarest of Black Jack grilled stamps -- and discriminating collectors are well aware of the rarity of well-centered examples of Scott 85B. This stamp's centering and margin width both far exceed the standard of the issue.
With 1995 P.F. certificate (Image)
2c Black, Z. Grill (85B).
Deep dark color and sharp proof-like impression, light red cancel, small
crease at top left, otherwise Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)
3c Rose, Z. Grill (85C).
Virtually perfect centering with wide margins, brilliant color, strong
grill impression, lightly cancelled by targetEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THIS VERY RARE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL.
The 3c Z Grill, one of the rarest of the regular-production grills, is seldom found with such wide margins and superb centering.
With 1965 and 1988 P.F. certificates (Image)
12c Black, Z. Grill (85E).
Original gum, barest trace of hinge, remarkably choice centering and
margins, intense jet-black shade typical of the 12c Z Grill, bright and
fresh paper with well-defined grill, faint diagonal crease at top right
barely shows in or out of fluidVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 12-CENT Z GRILL.
Although the supremely rare 1c, 10c and 15c Z Grills have attracted more attention over the years, the rarity of original-gum examples of the 2c, 3c and 12c Z Grill has been well-known to collectors who demand Very Fine or Extremely Fine centering and original gum. Unlike the 2c Z Grill, no well-centered blocks of the 3c or 12c have been available to furnish singles.
With 2003 P.F. certificate (Image)