Lot 3204
1901, 4¢ Pan-American, center inverted (296a), extraordinarily well centered for the 4¢ invert with exceptionally bright and fresh colors, full original gum. Extremely Fine and choice.
Scott $35,000
Expertization: 2002 P.F. Certificate.
This invert, as opposed to the 1¢ and 2¢ was printed intentionally and was never intended for release to the public. While up to 100 examples were distributed unofficially, many of these were overprinted "Specimen". Another group of about 100 were later traded to philatelists for other stamps lacking in the collection of the National Museum. This second group came from a sheet that had been stuck down by the Post Office Department when it had been intended to be part of their archives. It is for this reason that the large majority of non-Specimen overprints have disturbed original gum. There are probably less than ten mint examples with the perforations clearing the design, that exist with full undisturbed original gum, making these examples the rarest of all the 20th century inverts in similar quality.
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| Realized $72,500 |
