30c Orange (38). Vibrant color, clear strike of "San Francisco Cal. Oct. 8, 1861" double-circle datestamp and trace of red "12" integral-rate cancel, choice centering for this difficult issue

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB USED CONDITION.

The 30c 1860 challenges collectors for several reasons. First, the subjects were closely spaced together on the plate, leaving almost no room for perforations and little opportunity to create stamps with perforations clear of the design on all four sides. Second, the 24c, 30c and 90c 1860 high values were only in circulation for a brief period before the series was demonetized in the Fall of 1861. Third, this high-denomination stamp was issued for use on transatlantic mail, and postal clerks were careful to thoroughly cancel the stamps to prevent cleaning and re-use. Therefore, 30c 1860 stamps in sound and well-centered condition defy all circumstances and are extremely rare.

With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,800.00). Only three examples have graded higher.

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