$2.00 Dark Blue (312). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, phenomenal centering with wide and balanced margins

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1902 ISSUE, WHICH WAS RECENTLY GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.

The 1902-03 Second Bureau Issue was a great improvement over the Bureau's first efforts in 1894 and 1895. Perforations tend to be cleaner, and centering better, but the large plate layout and perforation method still resulted in a large number of poorly centered stamps. The P.S.E. Population Report for the $2.00 confirms the rarity of high-grade examples. Only one 100 and three 98 grades have been assigned to previously hinged stamps, and the highest grade for Mint N.H. state is 95 (4 recorded).

Ex Dr. Morris, Dr. Killien and "Nathanael Greene". With 1988 and 2022 P.F. certifcates (XF-Superb 95). With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95). With 2022 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98). Comparing this to other graded examples, we understand why this was recently upgraded to Superb 98.

Image Magnifier / Download

PSE Population Report

Market data

Power Search for Comparables