2,3, Or 4

essayk - I would expect to pay a lot more than $400 at auction for that stamp. Siegel just held an auction yesterday that included 8 #2s. The example closest to the condition of Josie67's stamp (to my eye) brought $850 hammer ($977.50 with the buyer's premium), and did not have a cert. Another example brought $800. Examples with faults brought between $325 - $550 hammer.

SP, You're right.

I picked up a couple of lots yesterday but the 47s brought their usual strong money.

I concede that you guys are quite right about that. I was way off in my estimate of what it would take to get a sound example like the one Josie67 is showing us, assuming it has no small faults. None were mentioned.

Here is a copy of the PSE certificate. There are no faults mentioned at all. I also received the stamp today, and upon inspection, it is a stunning piece with absolutely no faults. I have to say I am one happy camper. I have been looking at the #2 since I was a kid in the mid 1970's, and I can't believe I actually have a copy.

It's a beautiful stamp!

Well I went a little crazy at the local stamp show yesterday. I had purchased U.S. Scott #2 on Friday (thanks to all for your input), and while I went to the show looking for Italian stamps, in the back of my mind I kept thinking about Scott #3 and #4, and I ended up buying both of them (both with certs). So in the span of 2 days, I ended up with Scott 2, 3, and 4. I am seeing a whole bunch of overtime at work now for the next little while.

I was crooked once on this stamp. Bought it and after found out it was one of the Florida forgers work.

Ouch, Kingstonstsmper, sorry to hear that. I picked these three up with their respective certs, so I feel good about them. The number 2 actually came with three different certs....one from PF in 1985, one from PSE in 2006, and one from PSE in 2015. The number 3 came with a 2015 PSE cert and the number 4 came with a 1984 PF cert.

3 beauties - congrats!!

So....are you going to take the plunge for a #1 now?!?!

I already have #1 on cover dated August 22, 1850 #128540;

Josie67: Absolutely beautiful stamps. Color me green with envy!