50c Sage Green, Trans-Mississippi (291). Mint N.H., with wide top imprint selvage, deep rich color and proof-like impression, beautiful centering

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE P.F. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.

The design of the 50c Trans-Mississippi is based on a drawing by Frederic Remington titled Gold Bug, which was published in 1897 in New York as part of a series of drawings. It depicts a single prospector in a barren landscape, hammer in one hand and a gold prospecting pan in the other, with his dog and two pack mules. The design was originally considered for the $2.00 (an essay is known) but it was ultimately used for the 50c.

The 50c Trans-Mississippi is extremely scarce in well-centered condition. It also seems that fewer 50c stamps exist in Mint N.H. condition, relative to the dollar values of the set. The combination of Extremely Fine centering and Mint N.H. condition is exponentially rarer.

With 2021 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison P.S.E.'s Population Report contains only six at this grade with two higher (at 98).

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