2c Carmine (519). Mint N.H., bottom imprint and plate no. 4856 block of six, brilliant color

FRESH AND FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED BOTTOM PLATE BLOCK OF THE 2-CENT WASHINGTON ISSUE, SCOTT 519.

This stamp was created in 1917 when a small excess supply of the imperforate, double-line watermarked Scott 344 was returned by the New York City post office to the Bureau for credit. Rather than issue the credit, the Bureau perforated the sheets using the then current Perf 11 wheels and returned them to the New York City post office for public sale.

A Power Search review reveals how rare Scott 519 is in Mint N.H. plate block form. We have sold only three other unduplicated examples since keeping computerized records -- each a left plate block. This is the only Mint N.H. bottom plate block we have offered in any sale since 1993 and in all our Rarities sales dating to 1964. We have not offered a top position plate block in any gum condition.

With 2011 P.S.E. certificate

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