30c Orange (71). Essentially perfect centering, bright color, unobtrusive strike of grid cancel

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 30-CENT ORANGE. THIS BEAUTIFUL STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.

The 30c is known used very early after the series was issued; the earliest documented use is August 20, 1861. The narrowly-spaced 30c 1861 plate left very little room for the 12-gauge perforations between stamps. Brookman notes "coupled with the fact it is very hard to find a well-centered copy, this color, which always cancels badly, makes a truly superb used copy almost a rarity. I consider it the most difficult stamp of the 1861 Series to obtain in choice used condition".

With 1996 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $5,550.00). Only one example has graded higher (at 98J, offered in our Natalie Grace sale). This is one of only two to achieve this grade

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