EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1898 2-CENT TYPE IV ROSE CARMINE HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS BY FAR THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE. A SUPERB STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT AND WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The Rose Carmine shade (offered here) should not be confused with its more common brethren in the more readily available shades. According to Brookman, "The really scarce shade of the 1898 2c is the Rose Carmine. It is a shade not too unlike the Pink of the 1861 Series except that it is considerably darker."
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $33,000.00 as 98)