5c Gray Brown, Special Printing (205C). Without gum as issued, with right selvage, deep rich color, choice centering, sealed tear at top right

EXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 1882 5-CENT GARFIELD SPECIAL PRINTING, SCOTT 205C. ONLY 23 EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED.

This elusive Special Printing was the subject of an informative article by William E. Mooz in Chronicle 153 (February 1992). His research provides strong evidence that the stamps recognized as Scott 205C are a small part of the 2,463 sold as Special Printings through the Third Asst. PMG, and that regular issues were used to fill the backlog of orders for the 5c Garfield.

Our census of Scott 205C, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/205C , illustrates the 23 recorded examples.

Census No. 205C-UNC-23. With copy of 1946 P.F. certificate as a block of four. The stamp below this one in the block once had selvage but it has since been removed, making this the only example with selvage.

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