5c Deep Blue, Special Printing (204). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, beautiful centering

EXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE SOFT-PAPER SPECIAL PRINTING. ONLY 18 COPIES ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.

The 5c 1880 Special Printing on soft paper is one of the most elusive of the Bank Note Special Printings. Our census of Scott 204, available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/204/204.pdf , contains only 18 copies of this stamp, including one example in the Miller collection at The New York Public Library. About one-third of the known stamps have minor faults. Of the dozen sound examples available to collectors, perhaps three or four have choice centering.

Census No. 204-UNC-07. Ex Lessmann and Hewitt. With 1945 A.P.S. and 1955 and 1984 P.F. certificates.

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables