5c Deep Blue, Special Printing (204). Without gum as issued, beautiful rich color and sharp proof-like impression, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS THE FINEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SOFT-PAPER SPECIAL PRINTING. ONLY 18 COPIES ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS. ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING STAMPS OF THE ENTIRE CLASSIC PERIOD.

The 5c 1880 Special Printing on soft paper is one of the most elusive of the Bank Note Special printings. Our census of Scott 204 is available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/204/204.pdf and records only 18 copies of this stamp, including one example in the Miller collection at The New York Public Library. About one-third of the known stamps have minor faults. Of the dozen sound examples available to collectors, this stamp has the widest margins and is in the most remarkable state of preservation of any.

Census No. 204-UNC-05. Ex Hetherington, Anderson, Floyd and Minervino. 1953, 1992 and 2001 P.F. certificates no longer accompany. With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (NGAI, Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $610,000.00 as 98).

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