The 1893 Columbians
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2¢ - Brown violet, gray
violet or dark brown violet
Scott #231 -1893
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NY Auction Houses | ||||||
| MNH | Graded | MH | MNH | Graded | MH | Graded | |
| Spring 2003 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Fall 2003 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Spring 2004 | $20-$50 | - | $5-$10 | - | - | - | - |
| Fall 2004 | $17-$35 | - | $5-$8 | $50-$300 | - | - | - |
| Spring 2005 | $5-$25 | - | $2-$5 | $50 | - | - | - |
| Fall 2005 | $7-$40 | - | $3-$6 | $90 | - | - | - |
| Spring 2006 | $16-$20 | - | $3-$8 | $135 | 90 | - | - |
| - | - | - | $1,000 | 95 | - | - | |
| Fall 2006 | $40 | 80 | $3-$5 | $525 | 95 | - | - |
| - | - | - | $3,750 | 98 | - | - | |
| Spring 2007 | $50 | 80 | $1-$4 | $75-$95 | 85 | - | - |
| Fall 2007 | $17-$80 | - | $2-$6 | $550-$660 | 95 | $700 | 98J |
| Spring 2008 | $15-$28 | - | $2-$8 | $14,500 | 100 | - | - |
| Fall 2008 | $6-$15 | - | $2-$4 | $170-$280 | 90J | - | - |
| - | - | - | $575 | 95 | - | - | |
| - | - | - | $1,400-$2,500 | 98 | - | - | |
| - | - | - | $3,750 | 98J | - | - | |
| - | - | - | $21,000 | 100 | - | - | |
| Spring 2009 | $8-$23 | - | $1-$2 | $325 | 85 | - | - |
| - | - | - | $350 | 95 | - | - | |
| - | - | - | $1,250 | 98 | - | - | |
| Fall 2009 | $6-$50 | - | $2-$5 | $550 | 95 | - | - |
| - | - | - | $400-$800 | 95J | - | - | |
| - | - | - | $1,500-$1,800 | 98J | - | - | |
| Spring 2010 | $9-$60 | - | $2-$4 | - | - | $35 | 75J |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Fall 2010 | $7-$12 | - | $3-$6 | $300-$1.100* | 95 | - | - |
| $140 | 95 | - | $1,700-$3,400* | 98J | - | - | |
| Spring 2011 | $6-$100 | - | $2-$8 | $325-$375 | 95 | - | - |
| $350 | 95 | - | - | - | - | - | |
| $200 | 95J | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Fall 2011 | $7-$26 | - | $4-$5 | $90 | 85J | - | - |
| - | - | - | $140 | 90J | - | - | |
| - | - | - | $210 | 95 | - | - | |
| - | - | - | $1,300 | 98J | - | - | |
| 2012 | $6-$60 | - | $2-$7 | $170 | 95 | - | - |
| $220-$310 | 95 | - | $650 | 98 | - | - | |
| - | - | - | $800-$1,400 | 98J | - | - | |
| 2013 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2014 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2015 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2016 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
* = Broken hat variety
Used stamps sell for less than $1
What you should look for
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As with all the values of this issue, look for Columbian Expo cancels, they increase the value of the stamp or cover.
Occasionally postmarks from states that had tiny amounts of mail in this year can add to the value. This is particularly true of Alaska and the Territories. For a list of the number of stamps issued by each state in the year ending 30th June 1894 click here. |
The Inspiration for the Design
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The design originated from a painting titled ‘Columbus Landing at Guanahani’ by John Vanderlyn. Now located inside the Rotunda of the Washington Capitol Building.
It is worth noting that Columbus is clean shaven whilst sighting land on the one cent stamp, whilst this two cent value depicts Columbus during the landing sporting a full beard. This was the subject of much derision at the time of issue. |
Varieties to look for
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The 'Broken Hat' variety The best known variety of the Columbian series is the “broken hat”, it´s probably the result of a small crack caused by a weakening of the metal on the transfer roll. The image below right illustrates the flaw.
THE BROKEN FRAME LINE VARIETY The “broken frame line” was also caused by a defective transfer roll and occurs near the base outer right vertical frame line and extends for about one-eighth of an inch. Another small transfer break, which is known in two different stages, occurs on the botton line in the lower right corner of the 2¢ stamp.
IMPERFORATE VARIETY
2¢ - Brown violet There are some minor varieties that can be found, an example of which is shown below. |
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The Essay's and Proofs
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Despite the popularity of the Columbian series there are very few essays and proofs on the market.
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