24c Steel Blue (70b). Original gum described on accompanying P.S.E. certificate as Never Hinged and on P.F. certificate as Previously Hinged, in either case the back is pristine, gorgeous centering with well-proportioned margins, rich color in the unmistakable Steel Blue color

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 24-CENT STEEL BLUE. THE STEEL BLUE IS ONE OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE AND COLLECTIBLE OF THE 24-CENT SHADES, AND THIS IS SURELY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.

The Steel Blue is the most distinctive of all the shades. Unlike some of the others, it is rarely mistaken or misidentified, and as such has always been a favorite of collectors. Examples with original gum are rare, and those with Very Fine or Extremely Fine centering are of tremendous rarity, probably numbering no more than a dozen, and some have faults.

With 2001 P.S.E. and 2002 P.F. certificates, the former as Mint N.H.

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