3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A). Mint N.H., massive margins all around incl. part of four adjoining stamps, brilliant color on post-office fresh paper

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 1851 3-CENT DULL RED TYPE II HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.

The 3c 1851 is a common stamp, but as one goes up the grading scale, original-gum examples awarded 95 or better are increasingly scarce. Factoring in Mint Never-Hinged original gum, the rarity of high-grade examples increases exponentially. A review using Power Search found only two others of this type in Mint N.H. condition. The last to be offered was in 2005, which was cut in at bottom, and the one before that was sold in 2004. This Mint N.H. stamp with the coveted Superb 98 Jumbo P.S.E. grade ranks alongside the rarest of classic imperforate issues.

With 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded to date. Only one Mint N.H. Scott 11 has achieved the same grade. Scott Retail as hinged

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