1c Green, Rotary Perf 11 (544). Mint N.H., fresh and bright color, choice centering for this challenging issue, which by the nature of its production is usually poorly centered

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. ONE OF THE FEW EXTANT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THIS MAJOR 20TH CENTURY RARITY. PROBABLY FEWER THAN 20 OF THE 1923 ONE-CENT ROTARY PERF 11, SCOTT 544, EXIST IN ANY UNUSED STATE -- LESS THAN TEN ARE MINT NEVER-HINGED.

A small quantity of 1c Rotary Press stamps was perforated 11 at the end of 1922, using remainder sheets from the earlier printings that were normally perforated in 10 gauge or 10/11 compound gauge. Its existence as a Perf 11 variety was discovered in 1936, and the stamp received its Scott Catalogue listing in 1938.

Most of the recorded copies of Scott 544 are off-center or have been damaged -- the result of irregular production and mis-handling. Our review of the records of The Philatelic Foundation and Power Search found only nine Mint N.H. examples. The P.F. has graded two, at 75 (ex Whitman) and 85 (ex "Scarsdale"). P.S.E. has also graded two, at 70 (Siegel Sale 1179) and 75 (the example offered here). One is graded 70 by P.S.A.G. Of the four ungraded, one has a tiny perf hole tear and two are centered to two sides. Only one other, ex Zoellner and Wingate and centered to right, has the potential to grade well. A Mint N.H. block of four was offered in our 1985 Rarities sale, but we are not including this in our count.

Ex "Silver Lake" and "Laila". With 1966 (for strip of four, left stamp), 1996 and 2004 P.F. certificates. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (F-VF 75; SMQ $60,000.00).

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