2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (249). Mint N.H., beautiful dark shade and proof-like impression on fresh paper, long full perfs all around, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR ONE-OF-A-KIND MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE UNWATERMARKED 2-CENT TYPE I 1894 ISSUE IN THE CARMINE LAKE SHADE. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS ULTIMATE GRADE.

As collectors of the First Bureau Issue know, great difficulty was experienced in perforating the stamps, either due to poor equipment or improper operation. Choppy, ragged perfs and poor centering are so common on this issue that it is often possible to separate the 1894 unwatermarked stamps from the 1895 watermarked stamps by the appearance of the perforations alone. This example, with precise centering, Jumbo margins and perfectly formed perforations is an extreme condition rarity.

Ex Whitman and Merlin. With 1995 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $35,000.00 as 100). This is the only stamp to achieve this perfect grade in the P.S.E. Population Report. No other Mint N.H. examples grade above 98J

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