5c Red Brown (12). Original gum which covers the entire back of the stamp, large margins to full, deep rich color on bright paper

EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE SOUND FOUR-MARGIN ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.

The 5c stamp was issued in 1856, five years after the 1c, 3c and 12c values and one year after the 10c were issued. It was typically used to pay the 5c shore-to-ship rate for mail sent overseas and also in multiples for the 10c transcontinental or 15c U.S.-French treaty rates.

With the exception of some rare types of the 1c and 10c, such as Scott Nos. 5 and 16, the 5c stamp is the most difficult denomination to obtain with four margins in sound and original-gum condition. The spacing between stamps is very narrow -- in some cases only 1.2 millimeters wide. This left little margin for error when separating the stamps, and it explains why so few examples are known with four margins. When other factors such as gum, color and impression are taken into consideration, the rarity and beauty of the stamp offered here may be fully appreciated.

With 2004 P.S.E. and P.F. certificates

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