$2.00 Dark Blue (312). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1902 ISSUE IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE P.F. -- A PHENOMENAL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.

The 1902-03 Regular Issue was a great improvement over the Bureau's first efforts in 1894 and 1895. Perforations tend to be cleaner, and centering better, but the large plate layout and perforating method still resulted in a large number of poorly centered stamps. Collecting practices of hinging stamps into albums and time have left very few superb Mint N.H. examples for today's collectors. This is particularly true for the high $2.00 and $5.00 values of this series, which were printed in much smaller quantities than the lower values. This stamp should be considered a true condition rarity.

Ex "Golden Oak". With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has four at this grade, but we have not offered any since 2010. Looking at the centering on the example offered here, we are surprised this did not grade 98, an opinion no doubt shared by others, as this realized $25,000 hammer in our 2013 "Golden Oak" sale versus SMQ equivalent of $14,400.00 at the time.

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