Lot
619 
1873, 15¢ yellow orange, C.B.N.C. printing, gutter s.e. at left, in combination with 1870, 1¢ ultramarine, H. grill (134) on 1873 mourning cover to Sandhurst, Victoria paying the 16¢ British mail rate via Southampton, tied by "Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Jul 13" origin cds and cork duplexes, red "New York, 12, Jul 16" credit exchange cds and London transit, reverse with Melbourne entry and receiving cds's; cover with edge nick and tear at bottom, 15¢ with small tear at bottom, Fine, still this being the earliest usage of the 1873 15¢ Continental Banknote Issue. Scott Nos. 163 Estimate $200 - 300.
The Scott catalog currently lists the earliest documented use the the 15¢ Continental Banknote as July 22, 1873. This usage predates this listing by well over a week.
Realized: $160