2004 Rarities of the World continued...

EXTREMELY FINE. THE 1870 90-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE IS RARE IN CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.

The 1870 90c National Ungrilled Issue, Scott 155, is somewhat overshadowed by its grilled counterpart, Scott 144. Collectors are also misled by the availability of Scott 166, the 90c 1873 Continental. Although the difference in shades is distinct, collectors have a tendency to confuse the two and under-rate the 1870 National printing. Only a few original-gum examples of Scott 155 have the centering, color and freshness of the stamp offered here.

With 2001 P.F. certificate (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 90-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE UNGRILLED ISSUE.

With 1982 P.F. certificate (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM 7-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.

With 1979 and 1994 P.F. certificates (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.

With 1992 P.F. certificate (Image)

VERY FINE. THE 15-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL IS AMONG THE MOST ELUSIVE OF THE REGULAR BANK NOTE ISSUES IN THIS CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.

With 1990 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL PRINTING.

The 30c Continental is distinguished from its National counterpart by shade and the shape of the perforations, and from its 1879 American counterpart by paper. Many philatelists -- even intermediate and advanced collectors -- have difficulty classifying Scott 165. When it comes to naming the most elusive Bank Note stamps in choice original-gum condition, the 30c 1873 is often overlooked. However, in most serious collections, it is missing or represented by something that compromises quality. The 30-cent 1870 is frequently found filling the space for Scott 165. The 30c Continental is extremely rare in any original-gum condition.

With 1991 P.F. certificate. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PERFECTLY-CENTERED 90-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL WITH REMARKABLY BRIGHT FRESH COLOR.

With 1985 and 1995 P.F. certificates. (Image)

VERY FINE. LESS THAN 40 OF THE 1875 3-CENT CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING ARE BELIEVED TO EXIST.

The Scott Catalogue notes that "Although perforated, these stamps were usually cut apart with scissors. As a result, the perforations are often much mutilated and the design is frequently damaged." For additional information, please see an article by William E. Mooz (Chronicle 183), entitled "Scissors Cutting of the 1875 Special Printing Issues." The example offered here, with its design complete and perforations intact on two sides, is among the finer examples known of this rarity.

Ex Sheriff. With 1948 and 1992 P.F. certificates (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFULLY-CENTERED SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING.

Fewer than 40 are believed to exist. Of these, very few are as well-centered as the stamp offered here.

Ex Lilly. With 1966 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTING. APPROXIMATELY 60 ARE BELIEVED TO EXIST.

A survey of our Levi records and past auction catalogues shows that many examples have perforations scissors-separated on at least one side. There are perhaps twenty sound copies with perforations intact on all sides, and most do not rate the grade of Extremely Fine.

Ex Drucker. With 1959 and 2002 P.F. certificates. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 15-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING.

Our Levi records of Scott 174 contain fewer than 40 examples. Of these, an overwhelming majority have the perforations scissors-separated on at least one side. Only five or six have intact perforations, and of these perhaps half are faulty.

Ex Lessin. With 1958 and 2002 P.F. certificates (Image)