2016 Rarities of the World continued...

VERY FINE. THE UNIQUE PANES OF 100 OF THE 1904 CANAL ZONE ISSUE OVERPRINTED ON THE UNITED STATES STAMPS OF THE 1902 ISSUE. WONDERFUL EXHIBITION ITEMS.

According to Canal Zone Stamps (pp. 23-24), the previous Map issue was demonetized after July 17, 1904. The new series of United States stamps, overprinted "Canal Zone Panama", was received July 13 and placed on sale starting July 18, 1904. No one is sure why, but a supply of 10 million stamps was received, with a total face value of $390,000. Only a small number were removed from their shipping crates and used -- sales totalled $4,268.72 and the stamps were taken out of use on December 11, 1904. The remaining stock of 9,851,202 stamps was destroyed under official supervision on January 2 and 3, 1906.

With the exception of the 5c, only stamps from the lower left pane were sold. The other positions were likely in the unopened shipment which was destroyed. No plate blocks are recorded from top positions for any denomination.

Scott Retail as 21 blocks of four, two plate blocks and four singles. (Image)

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FRESH AND FINE. ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES OF THE "ZONE ZONE" ERROR ARE RECORDED FOR THE 10-CENT VALUE.

According to Canal Zone Stamps, the error only occurs on Position 18 of the bottom right pane. All were officially destroyed, except for five copies. Two of the five are contained in complete panes.

Scott Retail as singles (Image)

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VERY FINE. ONLY FOUR EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN OF THE 12-CENT "ZONE ZONE" VARIETY. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF CANAL ZONE.

According to Canal Zone Stamps, this error comes only from Position 18 on the lower right pane of the plate. Four panes were sold before the remaining 246 lower right panes on hand were officially destroyed, on Oct. 15, 1926. One pane is still intact (ex Tows and Grebian).

With 1967 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as singles (Image)

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