Sale 1032 — The Nick Kirke Collection of Gem-Quality Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 October, 2012
Category — 1875 Re-Issue of 1861-66 Issue (Scott 102-105)
5c Brown, Re-Issue (105). Choice centering with wide and beautifully balanced margins, light strike of cork cancellation at left, detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 RE-ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The 5c Re-Issue was printed from a new plate of 100 subjects, compared to the original plate of 200 in two panes. The Re-Issue plate can be identified by a notch at bottom. 10,000 stamps were printed (100 impressions). Only 672 of the 5c were sold; the remaining 9,328 were destroyed on July 16, 1884.
Our census of Scott 105 used, available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/105/105.pdf , records only 37 examples. This is the second most common of any denomination after the 1c, but it is still difficult to find in sound and centered condition. The example offered here is one of the finest in existence.
Census No. 105-CAN-30. Ex Tahoe. With 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $20,000.00). This is the only example graded XF-Superb 95 by P.S.E., and only two have graded higher (at 95J and 98)
