90c Blue (39). Rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering with well-balanced margins, clear strike of Philadelphia circular datestamp

EXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1860 ISSUE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES IN CLASSIC UNITED STATES PHILATELY TO OBTAIN AS A USED STAMP IN SOUND AND CENTERED CONDITION.

The 90c stamp was issued in 1860, along with the 24c and 30c values, all of which were needed to prepay high international letter rates established by various postal treaties. The basic 24c and 30c rates to England, France and Germany created a large volume of mail franked with those values. However, the 90c saw much more limited use, partly due to the rates in effect, but more because of the American Civil War. When supplies of current postage stamps were declared invalid in the South and ultimately demonetized by the Federal government, the 90c had been in use for only one year. For this reason, genuinely cancelled copies and covers bearing the 90c are extremely rare. Approximately 180 used examples have been certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation, of which approximately one-quarter are sound. Of these sound examples, many are off-center.

Accompanied by three covers with 3c stamps bearing the same Philadelphia circular datestamp for comparison. Small red backstamp. With 1979 P.F. certificate

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