Auction Name: 2026 January 18 Winter Fractional Currency Showcase Auction

Lot Number: 95129

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/62424*95129

Fr. 1227 3¢ Third Issue Vertical Pair PMG About Uncirculated 55.
Dark background multiples are much scarcer than their light background cousins. The uncut pair in this lot is extra special as it is composed of the top note "with Pearls" regular variety and of the bottom note "No Pearls" variety. The dark background "No Pearls" variety is cataloged as Milton 3R3.2e on page 104 of Milton R. Friedberg's sixth edition 2000 of The Encyclopedia of United States Postage & Fractional Currency. The dark background "No Pearls" variety is a highly desireable note as it has a rarity rating of R7, four to twelve known, as compared to the light background "No Pearls" variety. That is Milton 3R3.1c as found on page 101 of Milt's Encyclopedia with a rarity rating of R4, 76-200 known. The "No Pearls" variety is distinguished by the lack of two small hollow circles that appear beneath the diamond at the bottom center of the portrait due to an engraving error. Research has indicated that these pearls are missing only from two face plates, numbers 32 and 35. There are light stains on this pair that has a fold between the notes.

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