6c Dull Brown, USIR Watermark (271a). Showing distinct complete letter "I" of watermark, deep rich color, outstanding centering, neat wavy-line machine cancel

EXTREMELY FINE. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 1895 6-CENT WITH "USIR" WATERMARK.

The "USIR" (United States Internal Revenue) watermark error occurred when a supply of paper reserved for revenue stamp production was used for printing the 6c and 8c postage stamps. Unlike its more common 8c counterpart, the 6c is an extremely rare stamp. Our census of this issue, available at https://www.siegelauctions.com/census/us/Scott/271a , records only 24 used copies certified as genuine by The Philatelic Foundation, plus three uncertified copies. About half have faults and the majority of those certified do not specify which letter is present. The identified examples are split approximately equally between the "I" and "R" of the watermark. Many examples have perfs either close or touching the design. This sound example with balanced margins and a neat cancel is a great rarity.

Census no. 271a-CAN-19. With 2002 P.F. certificate.

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