10c Blue, Special Delivery, Dots in Curved Frame Above Messenger (E5a). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 882 selvage, outstanding centering with wide margins, deep rich color

EXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 10-CENT WATERMARKED SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE WITH DOTS ABOVE THE MESSENGER VARIETY. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE TOP PLATE NUMBER.

The Dots in Curved Frame above Messenger variety (E5a) comes only from plate 882, which makes this stamp particularly desirable since it is easily identified. It is priced in Scott at nearly double the normal E5.

With 2000 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates, both noting the variety but issued before Scott added the sub-listing No. E5a (XF-Superb 95; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 90). Only one stamp grades higher (at 98, last offered in our Morton Sale 1219).

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