$5.00 Dark Green (313). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1902 ISSUE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.

The 1902-03 Regular Issue was a great improvement over the Bureau's first efforts in 1894 and 1895. Perforations tend to be cleaner, and centering better, but the large plate layout and perforate method still resulted in a large number of poorly centered stamps. Furthermore, stamps issued in choice condition seldom stayed that way, because the boom in stamp collecting that began with the Roosevelt administration caused hordes of hinge-bearing philatelists to mount stamps over and over again. For this reason, today's collectors have grown accustomed to paying many multiples of Scott value for Extremely Fine stamps in Mint Never-Hinged state. This is especially true when it comes to the $5.00 denomination. This fact is made abundantly clear when you realize that the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to a $5.00 value in never-hinged condition is a 90, given to only three stamps.

Ex Whitman. With 1998 P.S.E. and 1999 P.F. certificates showing part imprint, and stating that it is hinged only in the selvage. The selvage has since been removed. With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $9,250.00). Only three have graded higher (all at 90) and only two others share this grade.

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