5c Red Brown (28). Exceptionally rich color in a shade that we place on the Indian Red spectrum, bright fresh paper, perfectly centered with perfs well clear of outer projections on all sides, long and full perforations, light strike of circular datestamp leaves design clearly visible

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT RED BROWN. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS AND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION. THIS IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — ONLY TWO GRADE HIGHER.

The deepest shade of Red Brown from the 1858 printing is known as Indian Red. It is found in a short spectrum of color, ranging from a dark purplish shade to a vivid "glowing" orange shade. To be classified as Indian Red, the stamp's impression must be strong throughout, especially in the area of the oval surrounding Jefferson's head. If a stamp possesses anything less than a very deep impression with the characteristic intense red shade, it will fall short of Indian Red, Scott 28A (and that is why Scott 28b was created as "second place"). We would put this stamp—certified as a mere "Red Brown" (Scott 28)—up against many stamps certified as Indian Red.

Due to the narrow spacing between stamps on the plate, the perforations often touch or go into the outer portion of the design on one or more sides. The example offered here, with perfect centering and unusually wide margins, is a true condition rarity.

With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only two grade higher (at 98) and five others share this desirable grade. For unused the highest grade is 30.

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