The 1893 Columbians

$2 - Brown red or deep brown red
Scott #242
Certificate recommended for MNH
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NY Auction Houses | |||||||||
| MNH | MH | Graded | Used | MNH | Graded | MH | Graded | Used | Graded | |
| Spring 2003 | - | - | - | - | $1,250 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Fall 2003 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Spring 2004 | - | $300-$400 | - | $180-$200 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Fall 2004 | - | $325-$700 | - | $130-$200 | $2,000 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Spring 2005 | - | $375-$450 | - | $185-$240 | $5,250 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Fall 2005 | - | $225-$350 | - | $105-$185 | $3,750 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Spring 2006 | $1,450 | $325-$490 | - | $135-$425 | $11,800 | 90 | - | - | - | - |
| Fall 2006 | - | $350-$550 | - | $160-$175 | $12,500 | 90 | $5,375 | 95 | - | - |
| Spring 2007 | - | $440-$560 | - | $125-$190 | - | - | $5,750 | 95 | - | - |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | $375 | 70 | - | - | |
| Fall 2007 | - | - | - | $125-$130 | $5,000 | 85 | - | - | - | - |
| Spring 2008 | - | $510-$610 | - | $150-$155 | - | - | $1,600 | 85 | - | - |
| - | $1,600 | 85 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Fall 2008 | - | $450-$800 | - | $170-$255 | - | - | $525 | 70 | $425 | 85 |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $700 | 90 | |
| Spring 2009 | $1,380 | $455-$505 | - | $100-$135 | $3,000 | 80 | $1,600 | 90 | $325 | 75 |
| - | - | - | - | $10,000 | 90 | - | - | $450 | 80 | |
| - | - | - | - | $60,000 | 95 | - | - | $600-$650 | 90 | |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $4,000 | 95 | |
| Fall 2009 | - | $655 | - | $135-$305 | - | - | $3,000 | 95 | $550-$750 | 90 |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $3,000 | 95 | |
| Spring 2010 | $2,870 | $255-$400 | - | $145 | - | - | $1,200 | 85 | $475 | 85 |
| Fall 2010 | $2,410 | $285-$345 | - | $130-$280 | $3,500 | 90J | $875 | 80 | $850 | 90 |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | $18,000 | 98 | - | - | |
| Spring 2011 | $2,430 | $255-$475 | - | $140-$190 | - | - | - | - | $2,400 | 95 |
| Fall 2011 | - | $360-$1,000 | - | $135-$195 | - | - | $1,600 | 90 | $600 | 80 |
| - | $2,000 | 90J | - | - | - | - | - | $600 | 85 | |
| 2012 | - | $265-$1,250 | - | $110-$240 | $6,050 | 98 | $1,300 | 90 | $550 | 90 |
| - | - | - | - | $1,550 | 70 | $2,800 | 95 | $4,500-$7,000 | 98 | |
| 2013 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2014 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2015 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2016 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
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Issued: The $2 was officially was issued on January, 1st 1893, a Sunday, and at Post Offices the following day. Plate Size: Sheets of 100 subjects (2 panes of 50). There are no plates or sheets left in existence. The largest plate blocks available are two blocks of six and one block of eight. Printer: The American Bank Note Company, thereafter, with one exception of the Overun stamps of 1943 all stamps have since been printed by the Bureau of Engraving Watermark: None Color: Salmon or dark salmon. Usage: The $2 Columbian is often seen on its own on covers, mostly for philatelic use, it is rarely seen in combination with other values. It is often seen with the registered fee cancel.
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The Inspiration for the Design
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The design is a based on Emmanuel Leutze’s painting “Columbus in Chains.” The painting is now located in Germantown, PA. |
What you should look for
Varieties to look for
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The color ranges from Salmon to Dark Salmon. There are the occasional double transfers. 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 Essay's and Proofs
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#242 P4 |

Back in 1963 the largest multiple, according to Brookman, was a multiple of 25, now in 09
we are left with the largest multiple being this block of eight (09 Robert Seigal Auction $205,000)

A view of the reflecting pool traversed by several bridges and several Exposition buildings