1c Blue Green, Coil (316). Pair, original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression, tiny thin spot at bottom

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE PAIR OF THE ONE-CENT VERTICAL COIL, SCOTT 316. OUR CENSUS RECORDS ONLY TEN PAIRS AND FIVE SINGLES. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL 20TH CENTURY STAMPS.

According to Johl, these first government coils were an experiment, and collectors and dealers were generally unaware of their existence. Regular sheets of 400 were printed and then perforated in only one direction. They were then cut into strips of 20. The strips were pasted together to form rolls (one paste-up pair is known).

It is unknown exactly how many of these experimental coils were produced. They were superseded less than a year later by the Washington-Franklin issue coils, the first of which were issued on December 29, 1908.

Our census of Scott 316, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/316 , records seven pairs, three line pairs (one of which is rejoined) and five unused singles, for a total of 25 stamps. Two pairs have been broken in the last few years. None are known used.

Census no. 316-OG-PR-09. With 1961 and 1985 P.F. certificates

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