2012 Rarities of the World continued...

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT IN THE CARMINE LAKE SHADE HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.

With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,000.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. The next-highest grade in any category is a 95. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT NEBR. OVERPRINT HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.

With 2011 P.S.A.G. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,175.00 as 98). This is the highest grade possible and the only example to achieve this grade. (Image)

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FINE-VERY FINE. A RARE TOP DOUBLE PLATE NUMBER POSITION BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 2-CENT YORKTOWN IN THE DARK LAKE SHADE.

Scott Retail as plate block of four and six singles (Image)

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VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN ATTRACTIVE MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCK OF 20 OF THE $1.00 PRESIDENTIAL WITH "USIR" WATERMARK.

Scarce as such a large multiple. (Image)

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VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE LARGE DIE TRIAL COLOR PROOF OF THE IWO JIMA ISSUE. THIS IS THE FINEST OF ONLY THREE KNOWN.

While listed in Scott as a trial color proof, this is actually the original die proof, submitted for approval in the purple color, for the stamp that was hastily prepared for issue in July 1945 before the surrender of Japan. The Iwo Jima stamp honors the U.S. Marine Corps and the raising of the American flag on Mt. Suribachi, and was modeled after the iconic Feb. 23, 1945 photograph by Joe Rosenthal. However, based on objections of the Marine Corps the color for the issued stamp was changed to Yellow Green. This is the finest and the only full-size die-sunk example of the three recorded by Essay and Proof specialist James Lee. This is arguably the most important armed services proof of the Second World War. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A PRISTINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THIS POPULAR MODERN ERROR -- THE C.I.A. INVERT.

Popularly called the "C.I.A. Invert", a single pane of 100 stamps was purchased at the McLean Va. Post Office by employees of the C.I.A., for use on mail from the agency. They noticed the error, pooled together funds to buy a replacement sheet and kept the pane for themselves. When it was discovered who had purchased the stamps, a scandal ensued over who actually owned the stamps. Of the pane of 100, only 93 sound examples reached collectors.

Ex Hoffman. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90, unpriced in SMQ) (Image)

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