1c Blue, Ty. I (18). Plate 12, C Relief, Mint N.H., radiant color and crisp impression, choice centering for this difficult issue with the type characteristics clearly visible

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS QUITE PROBABLY THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 PERFORATED ONE-CENT TYPE I, WHICH COMES ONLY FROM PLATE 12. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE ONLY GRADED MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMP IN THE P.S.E. POPULATION REPORT, AND THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED IN ANY CATEGORY.

The defining characteristic of Type I is that the entire design is printed, including the scrolls and plumes at bottom. Among the plates used to print imperforate stamps, only one position out of 1,000 can claim that honor (Position 7R1E, Scott No. 5, offered as lot 4 in this sale). Type I perforated stamps are only known from certain positions on Plate 12. Due to the narrow spacing between perforations and difficulties of production, this issue is usually found with part of the design cut off by the perforations. The wide margins of this stamp leave the Type I characteristics around the perimeter almost completely intact.

With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; unpriced in SMQ in Mint N.H. condition. The highest price in SMQ is for a hinged 90, which is not even remotely relevant.). The highest grade awarded in any category is 95 (eight used plus this N.H. example). We have offered only half a dozen other Mint N.H. examples since keeping computerized records, and probably none would grade higher than 75 or 80. Scott Retail as hinged

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