$9.00 Yellow Orange, 1875
Special Printing (PR51). Without gum as issued, brilliant color on
bright white paper, detailed impression, choice centering with wide
marginsEXTREMELY FINE. THIS STAMP IS THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLE OF THE $9.00 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING. ONLY FOUR WERE SOLD, AND THIS IS THE ONLY COPY CERTIFIED AS GENUINE BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF ANY NEWSPAPER COLLECTION AND ONE OF THE RAREST UNITED STATES STAMPS.
Official records of the Special Printings indicate that a total of 500 of the $9.00 stamps were received in 1875. On July 16, 1884, 496 were still on hand. Only four copies were sold in a nine-year period.
Ex Troy and Lutwak. With 1982 and 2002 P.F. certificates. (Image)