Sale 1107 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 28-29 July, 2015
Category — 1873-93 Bank Note Co. Issue (Scott 156-229)
5c Gray Brown, Special Printing (205C). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and proof-like impression, beautifully centeredEXTREMELY FINE. THE 5-CENT GARFIELD 1882 SPECIAL PRINTING IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL THE BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTINGS. THIS SUPERB EXAMPLE IS ONE OF ONLY 21 RECORDED.
This elusive Special Printing was the subject of an informative article by William E. Mooz in the Chronicle (February 1992). His research provides strong evidence that the stamps recognized as Scott 205C are a small part of the 2,463 sold as Special Printings through the Third Asst. PMG, and that regular issues were used to fill the backlog of orders for the 5c Garfield.
Our census of Scott 205C is available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/205C/205C.pdf , and illustrates the 21 recorded examples (only three have faults).
Census No. 205C-UNC-07. Ex Floyd. P.F. certificate nos. 410 and 254720 no longer accompany. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $105,000.00). Only two have graded higher (at 95) and four others share this grade.
