5c Orange Brown (1b). Large margins to just in at right, bright late printing shade, clear strike of blue "Paid 3" in circle -- post-July 1, 1851 handstamp cancel, light vertical crease at left

FINE APPEARANCE. AN OUTSTANDING AND EXTREMELY RARE DEMONETIZED USE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE.

Prior to July 1, 1851, there was no 3c rate for letters -- the rates were 5c and 10c. The July 1 rate change to 3c (for under 3,000 miles) coincided with the demonetization of the 1847 Issue and the introduction of the 1851 Issue. Therefore, this handstamp must have been applied after the 1847 stamps were declared invalid for use. We do not recall seeing another example of the "Paid 3" handstamp on an 1847 stamp and a search of the on-line USPCS census failed to find one on cover

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