90c Carmine & Black (122). Deep rich colors and proof-like impressions on bright paper, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, neat strike of quartered cork cancel

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A WONDERFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER.

The 90c 1869 Pictorial is widely admired for its beautiful engraving and dignified portrait of Abraham Lincoln. However, collectors have been frustrated in their efforts to acquire choice examples of this issue. Used 90c stamps are typically heavily cancelled, because the high denomination was cause for postal clerks to thoroughly obliterate any chance for re-use. Naturally, the significant monetary value of 90c in 1869 limited the number of unused stamps that would be saved for future collectors. Therefore, the collector ideals of "well-centered with original gum" and "lightly cancelled" are seldom obtainable in the available supply of 90c 1869's.

With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $8,800.00 as 95, $22,000.00 as 98). Only one has graded higher (at 98) and one other shares this grade.

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