Lot 300 Canada SC#38 5c Greenish Gray Queen Victoria, 1870-1893 Small Queen Issue, 2 Very Good/Fine Used Singles, Late Montreal Printings, Very Clear Impression, No Plate Or Medallion Dots, Perfs 12.1x12 & 12, LM-J & LM-N

2 very good/fine used singles of the 5c greenish gray Queen Victoria from the 1870-1893 Small Queen Issue, late Montreal printings, very clear impression, no plate or medallion dots, perfs 12.1x12 & 12, LM-J & LM-N.

Small corner crease on the lightly cancelled stamp. This is the transitional shade signalling the progression from slate green Montreal to gray Ottawa. It still shows a somewhat greenish cast, but the green is definitely starting to leave the color. Many collectors could easily mistake these for 2nd Ottawa printings were it not for the paper & impression.

Unitrade values these at $30 for very fine, so we estimate them at $22. The stamps offered here grade 60 and 68 as follows:

Centering/Margins: 30/60, 40/60

Paper Freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of Visible Paper Flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 10/10

Cancellation: 8/10, 10/10

Adjustment for mentioned faults: -10 points.