5c Brown, First Design (57). Original gum, deep rich color, choice centering, few nibbed perfs at top not noted on certificates

VERY FINE APPEARING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 5-CENT 1861 FIRST DESIGN. ONLY 37 EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN.

Our census of Scott 57, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/57 , contains a total of 37 copies of this rarity. Of these, one is in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library. Of the 36 thought to be available to collectors, two are cancelled, 19 have no gum, five have part original gum and ten, including the example offered here, have full (or nearly full) original gum. Only two of the full or part original-gum copies are confirmed as sound.

Census no. 57-OG-24. With 1971 P.F. certificate stating "part o.g.". With 1993 P.S.E. certificate stating "o.g.".

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