EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1882 RE-ENGRAVED 6-CENT ROSE IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE IS GRADED HIGHER.
Despite being the major Scott listing, the Rose shade is far rarer than the Brown Red sub-shade, Scott 208a. Power Search located only one Mint N.H. example offered in our sales since 1993, and that is off-center with perfs almost touching the design. We have offered no multiples with Mint N.H. stamps. The online records of The Philatelic Foundation contain only two in Mint N.H. condition, but we doubt they would even grade 90. For the collector who values centering, a hinged copy is all there is.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,525.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98, realized $7,500 in our April 2016 "Hanover" sale) and only six others share this desirable grade. This is the first example in this grade we have offered.