| 1855 Skilling Banco |  Top |
| Item # |
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Mint Hinged  US$ |
Used US$ |
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248212 "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small}  "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small}  "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small} |
Scott #1, Facit #1c Blue Green, Thin Paper [1855 3 Skilling Banco] THE FIRST STAMP OF SWEDEN. Mint, without gum as always, with Fine centering and perforations that must be considered to be perfect on this stamp. This color is, by a small amount, the least costly (Facit 2024 SEK 90,000) of the three colors listed by Facit. Furthermore, Facit only prices this color in Mint. All catalogs only value the Mint stamps of the Sweden #1-5 as without gum. Accompanied by a 2002 Helena Obermüller Wilén "HOW" color certificate stating (translated): "Unused without gum. This stamp does not exist with original gum. Stamp is genuine. No defects. No repairs. A very beautiful and fresh example of a very rare stamp." HOW has assigned a quality rating of "3,3,(-)" [the "-" is the lack of gum] -- this is an extraordinary quality rating for this stamp. HOW is the premier certificate to have for the skilling banco stamps. The stamp is also accompanied by a 1960 certificate from the Friedl Expert Committee, which is signed by both legendary gentleman, Herbert Block and Edwin Mueller; the stamp is signed on reverse in pencil by Bloch, as was his custom (and the certificate states this fact and also repeats that penciled signature). The picture on that Friedl certificate (it is embossed to the certificate) has been taken from an auction catalog; I strongly expect that the photo would be from one of the venerable Mercury Stamp Company auction sales -- which were operated by Bloch and Mueller. Most recently this stamp was in the John A. Haggstrom collection. An outstanding example, with wonderful color, and without any defects. This is the nicest Mint example I have had of this stamp in 50 years. [Layaway payment terms can be arranged for this item.] ACTUAL item. ACTUAL item. ACTUAL item. |
9000.00 |
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247023 "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small} |
1 [1855 3 Skilling Banco] FIRST STAMP OF SWEDEN. Used with typical Average-Fine centering, but with expertly made repairs and perforation "improvements" that most people would not be able to detect, except that the overall margin sizes are smaller than they should be. Otherwise this is a completely genuine example, NOT a reprint or forgery. Neat and crisp "CAR..." cancellation, perhaps CARLSKRONA? WONDERFUL BLUE-GREEN COLOR with extremely sharp and clear printing details. The vast majority of #1 on the market are either damaged or repaired (even if not so described). Facit 2023 value for sound examples is SEK 50,000 = about $5000! This is a nice looking example, even if the margins are too small, at a very reasonable price. Accompanied by 2023 Jay Smith certificate with "lifetime guarantee" (details available). ACTUAL item. |
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749.00 |
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248308 "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small} |
2 Blue, Thin Paper (Scott Classic 2a) [1855 4 sk First Issue Coat of Arms] Mint, without gum, with Average-Fine centering. The paper is slightly aged and there is a small tear at upper right, but this is reasonable looking example of a stamp that is rare in Unused condition. There are no repairs. This is Facit #2a1 from the first July 1855 printings -- a first printing from the first Swedish stamp issues. The Sweden Skilling Banco stamps (Scott #1-5) are extremely rare with gum and are not expected to have gum. Both Facit and Scott only value these stamps without gum. Facit Classic 2024 SEK 14,000 (4/2024 US$1400) for this printing and as the least costly printing. ACTUAL item. |
295.00 |
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249026 "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small} |
2 [1855 4 skilling banco] Used with Average centering and extremely light cancellation. While the centering could be a lot nicer, this example is remarkable for its very irregular perforations caused by numerous bent pins. This results in both missing perforation holes and pins so close together that it looks like a few teeth are missing (but they are not). An unusual example that would be plateable by a specialist just based on the perforations! ACTUAL item. |
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39.00 |
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248478 "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small}  "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small} |
3 (Scott Classic #3c), Facit #3d Gray-Brown, Thin Paper [1855 6 sk First Issue Coat of Arms (1856 printing)] Used with extraordinary XF -- almost perfect -- centering. An excellent example with exceptional color and overall attractiveness. The perforations look a little rough, but this is typical of the so-called 1855 perforation machine and is not a defect. [The "1855 perforations" are almost always rough due to the worn-out teeth on the machine.] This is exceptional centering for any printing / color of the 6 skilling stamp. The Facit Classic 2024 value is SEK 24,000 (5/2024 about US$2400) for this printing. According to Facit, this is the second scarcest printing/color. [The Scott 2024 Classic value of $2200 puts it at the third scarcest -- I will discuss this issue with the Scott editors.] Accompanied by a Helena Obermüller-Wilén (HOW) 1986 color photo certificate which states [translated from Swedish] "Facit #3d. Gray Brown. Good centering [Jay: a positive term, one level down from "perfect" in their system]. Used with Stockholm 31.3.185x and part of another cancellation. The stamp is genuine. Defects: Left upper and lower corner perforation teeth are creased [Jay: imperceptible]. Lower right corner perforation tooth short [rounded]. Color spot in upper right value field [Jay: I believe part of another cancellation]. Slight, translucent ink lines on reverse [Jay: almost imperceptible, from the envelope on which the stamp was applied]. Repairs: None. Extremely colorful specimen of an unusual color shade. Acceptable example." HOW assigned a Swedish quality rating of "1,4,3". [The 1 because of the mentioned perforation teeth, which most collectors would not consider a problem on an 1855-perforation stamp. The other values are excellent.] In this context, the statement that this is a "Acceptable example" is intended as positive compliment. HOW is still the best certificate for these issues. From the Haggstrom collection; previously from my stock, I sold to Haggstrom in 1987. An outstanding example -- with exceptionally nice centering and color -- of a stamp that is only rarely available in such attractive quality. Experienced collectors of early Swedish stamps will recognize this as an exceptional example. ACTUAL item. ACTUAL item. |
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1475.00 |
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248480 "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small} |
4 (Scott Classic #4d), Facit #4e Dull Olivish Yellow, Thin Paper [1855 8 sk First Issue Coat of Arms (1856 printing)] Used with remarkable VF -- almost XF -- centering. An excellent example with exceptional and unusual color and overall attractiveness. The perforations are remarkably clean and sharp for an early printing of this stamp. [Though NOT an issue in THIS case, the "1855 perforations" are almost always rough due to the worn-out teeth on the machine.] This is exceptional centering for any printing / color of the 8 skilling stamp. The Facit Classic 2024 value is SEK 11,000 (5/2024 about US$1100) for this printing. Scott Classic 2024 value is $1050. Accompanied by a Franz Obermüller (FO) 1977 b/w photo certificate which states [in English] "SFF #4e, Facit #4c [now 4e]. Dull (Olive)-Yellow. Medium centering [Jay: a matter of opinion; to me this is exceptionally nice centering fro this stamp]. Canceled Sundsvall 2.10 [October].1857 = good. The stamp and cancellation are genuine. No repairs. No defects except a short tooth in the left margin [Jay: only partially short, few people would have noticed it]. No restorations. A nice copy with an interesting color. Good quality." FO assigned a Swedish quality rating of "2,3,3". In this context, knowing FO back then, "good quality" was a compliment. Facit has renumbered this stamp since the 1977 certificate; what was Facit 4c (SFF 4e) then is now Facit 4e. Also accompanied by a 1973 British Philatelic Association (BPA) b/w photo certificate stating that it is genuine. From the Haggstrom collection. An outstanding example -- with exceptionally nice centering and color, and neatly canceled -- of a stamp that is seldom available in such attractive quality. Experienced collectors of early Swedish stamps will recognize this as an exceptional example. ACTUAL item. |
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925.00 |
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248309 "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small}  "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small} |
4 (Scott Classic #4f), Facit #4f Dull Yellow [1855 8 sk First Issue Coat of Arms] Mint, without gum, with Fine centering (by American standards). A wonderful example with strong, clear color and perfect perforations. This is excellent centering for a Mint example of this stamp -- it is rare in Unused condition. [There is a little bit of confusion in the catalog listings for this Facit/Scott #4f. Facit lists this as part of the "medium thick paper" stamps, and Scott has followed upon that distinction. However, most experienced collectors would probably classify this example of the stamp as being on (very) thin paper. One could consider this example to be a thin paper variety of #4f. Furthermore, there are several errors in the Scott values for the different Mint colors/printings of this stamp: Scott should have only three of the eight (not six of the eight) with Mint values, as Facit does -- the others are too rare to value -- and Scott should have them all priced at around the same values of about $5000-5500. I have reported these problems to Scott editors.] The Sweden Skilling Banco stamps (Scott #1-5) are extremely rare with gum and are not expected to have gum. Both Facit and Scott only value these stamps without gum. Facit Classic 2024 value is SEK 50,000 (4/2024 about US$5000) for this printing and as the least costly printing. Accompanied by a Helena Obermüller-Wilén (HOW) 1990 color photo certificate which states [translated] "Facit #4f. Dull Yellow. Centering medium-good. Unused without gum; should not have [not normally found with] gum. Stamp is genuine. No defects. No repairs. A remarkably beautiful and fresh stamp that occurs only rarely uncanceled. Signed by Sjöman. Very good example." HOW assigned a Swedish quality rating of "3,3,-" [the dash because it is without gum], which is excellent for this stamp. HOW is still the best certificate for these issues. Also pencil-signed and numbered on the reverse by Sjöman and accompanied by a photocopy of a Sjöman 1971 certificate. I believe that this certificate copy was obtained from an archive of Sjöman-issued certificates. Sjöman agreed in all respects with the HOW opinion and stated [translated] "A very beautiful and rare object." and using the 1971 SFF quality rating system he said, "A very good example almost to [praktex] magnificent example." From the Haggstrom collection. An outstanding example of a stamp that is only rarely available in Unused / Mint condition. ACTUAL item. ACTUAL item. |
4200.00 |
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248479 "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small} |
5 (Scott Classic #5a), Facit #5b Orange-Red, (Very) Thin Paper [1855 24 sk First Issue Coat of Arms (1856 printing)] Used with typical Average-Fine centering. STOCKHOLM fully dated 9.11 [November].1857 cancellation and small parts of two other cancel strikes. The perforations look just a little rough (only at the top), but this is typical of the so-called 1855 perforation machine and is not a defect. [The "1855 perforations" are almost always rough due to the worn-out teeth on the machine.] This is typical centering for any printing / color of the 24 skilling stamp. The Facit Classic 2024 value is SEK 18,000 (5/2024 about US$1800) for this printing. The Scott 2024 Classic value is $2100. Accompanied by an APS 1978 photo certificate which states "Scott #5. Facit #5b1. Used. Genuine in all respects." Facit has renumbered this stamp since 1978; what was 5b1 (thin paper) then is now 5b and what was 5b2 (thicker paper) is now 5c. From the Haggstrom collection. An reasonable example of a very scarce stamp that is seldom found without defects! Very nice, delicate color and fully-dated cancellation. ACTUAL item. |
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845.00 |