3c Blue Green, Special Printing (194). Without gum as issued, rich color, characteristic centering for this rarity

VERY FINE. THE 3-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SOFT-PAPER SPECIAL PRINTING IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL SPECIAL PRINTINGS -- OUR CENSUS RECORDS ONLY FOURTEEN EXAMPLES.

Our census of Scott 194, available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/194/194.pdf , contains only fourteen examples. Its rarity matches or exceeds the most valuable Special Printings, such as Scott Nos. 180 (24 known), 203 (20 known), 204 (18 known), 205C (21 known) and 211D (25 known). In fact, it is the rarest of any Bank Note Special Printing among the Scott-listed "sets" (167-177 and 192-202). This is the first example of this rarity we have offered since 2009.

The old P.F. certificate accompanying this stamp describes it as "toned," but it is not. There is a story behind this certificate that deserves retelling and has probably not been published anywhere. In 1973 a set of 1880 American Bank Note Co. Special Printings was submitted to The Philatelic Foundation. John R. Boker, Jr., who was actively involved in the expertizing process at that time, insisted that the stamps should be described as "toned," and his opinion was not overruled. Since then, every stamp from this group with the "toned" certificates has proven to be without toning. We are confident this stamp will receive a clear certificate and offer it subject to receiving one.

Census No. 194-UNC-10. Ex Colonel Green, "Country Gentleman" (Siegel Sale 422) and Kharasch. Blue "W.H.C." (Colson) backstamp. With 1973 P.F. certificate

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