10c Green (68). Mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, bright color and crisp impression, neat strike of grid cancel

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS PHENOMENAL STAMP IS GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE ON THE GRADING SCALE. THIS IS ALSO THE ONLY PERFORATED STAMP PRIOR TO THE 1870-71 NATIONAL BANK NOTE ISSUE TO ACHIEVE THIS PERFECT GRADE. A TRULY REMARKABLE STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.

The 10c is the only denomination of the 1861-66 Issue that was actually issued in two types. Type I, Scott 62B, was printed from Plate 4. Type II stamps -- Scott 68 and its grilled counterparts -- were printed from Plates 15 and 26. It has been surmised that Type I was pressed into service to help fill strong demand for 10c stamps after demonetization of the earlier issue. The 10c stamps paid the transcontinental rate, the ship-letter rate and certain rates to foreign countries.

Despite the high production numbers this is a difficult denomination to obtain in superb quality. Of the 175 used copies sent to P.S.E. for grading, only seven have graded higher than a 95 (including the stamp offered here). Another denomination produced in even greater quantity, the 3c, has failed to achieve 100J and only one is graded 100, despite almost 500 submissions. Submissions tend to be skewed towards higher-quality stamps, so this statistic is even more significant.

Ex "Natalee Grace". With 1997 P.F. and 2009 and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $8,000.00 as 100). This is the highest grade possible. This is also the earliest perforated Scott number to achieve this grade -- none have graded 100J for the 1857-60 Issue, and this is the only example for the entire issue (plus the next two issues) to achieve this grade. The next perforated stamp to achieve this grade is the 6c Bank Note Issue, Scott 148.

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