1c Blue, Ty. II (20). Position 6R4, deep rich Plate 4 color, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations, face-free strike of circular datestamp cancel

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-CENT TYPE II. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE FROM TOP ROW OF PLATE 4.

This stamp is noteworthy for two important reasons. The first is that the top row of Plate 4, from which it originates, furnished the finest examples of Type II, with the full design at top (their counterparts from the bottom row are Type Ia stamps, displaying full bottom design). The second reason is that the Plate 4 was not evenly spaced to accommodate rows of perforations (see Neinken book, p. 279). This irregularity often resulted in perfs cutting into the designs of the top or bottom rows. The example offered here, showing the entire design, is a true condition rarity.

With 2006 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (both graded XF 90; SMQ $3,400.00). Only three have graded higher to date, but the Population Report does not distinguish between the rarity of position or plate.

Image Magnifier / Download

PSE Population Report

Market data

Power Search for Comparables