50c Sage Green, Trans-Mississippi (291). Mint N.H., rich color, proof-like impression, exceptional centering with wide margins

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.

The design of the 50c Trans-Mississippi is based on a drawing by Frederic Remington titled Gold Bug, which was published in 1897 in New York as part of a series of drawings. It depicts a single prospector in a barren landscape, hammer in one hand and a gold prospecting pan in the other, with his dog and two pack mules. The design was originally considered for the $2.00 (an essay is known) but it was ultimately used for the 50c.

The 50c Trans-Mississippi is extremely scarce in well-centered condition. It also seems that fewer 50c stamps exist in Mint N.H. condition, relative to the dollar values of the set. The combination of Extremely Fine centering and Mint N.H. condition is exponentially rarer.

From the Nathanael Greene collection. Ex Morton. With 2007 and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only two stamps grade higher (both Superb 98, one is the ex "Hanover" stamp which realized $47,500 hammer in Sale 1122) and five share this lofty grade. The SMQ value of $13,125 is out of date in our opinion. This Gem realized $17,500 hammer in our 2020 sale of the Morton collection.

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