90c Rose Carmine (166). Block of four with plate no. 23 selvage at bottom, natural s.e. with part arrow at right, brilliant color, left stamps Mint N.H., right stamps lightly hinged, bottom right stamp faint natural pre-printing paperfold

VERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED BLOCK SHOWING THE PLATE NUMBER OF THE 1873 90-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE LEFT STAMPS -- INCLUDING THE PLATE NUMBER SINGLE -- IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.

The Chapin book records this unique plate number block of four without imprint. In the Whitman sale we offered a block of four with imprint only. Our search of specialized Bank Note auctions and major name sales failed to reveal another block showing the imprint. Probably a half-dozen additional blocks still exist, but most of the well-centered blocks have been broken into singles. Given the two Mint N.H. stamps, we are surprised this is still intact -- we have sold only three Mint N.H. singles, according to Power Search.

Ex Colonel Edward H. R. Green. Scott Retail with no premium for the Mint N.H. stamps.

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