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<B>UNITED STATES [C] Unissued H-series Postcard Rate stamp</B><P>Two singles, perforated 11.2, tied

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,500.00 USD
<B>UNITED STATES [C] Unissued H-series Postcard Rate stamp</B><P>Two singles, perforated 11.2, tied
<B>UNITED STATES [C] Unissued H-series Postcard Rate stamp</B><P>Two singles, perforated 11.2, tied on a commercial cover by an Albany, N.Y. machine cancel dated October 26, 1999; both stamps have some moderate perf damage and have apparently been glued to the envelope, which is a window envelope that is open on three sides. The stamp's design is the same as the regular H-series "First-Class Rate" stamp (#3260), that features Uncle Sam's top hat, but it is inscribed "Postcard Rate" and has a yellow background to make it more easily distinguishable from the first-class rate stamp (a yellow background was also used on the "Old Glory" G-series Postcard Rate stamp (#2879) issued in 1994, when the postcard rate was raised from 19c to 20c). This cover was discovered by a Massachusetts coin dealer. Its discovery was first reported in November of 1999; accompanied by a 2002 PF certificate which states that "it is a genuine usage of unissued stamps on a commercial envelope." A fabulous modern-day rarity that can only be in one "complete" U.S. collection. Non-denominated stamps are often designed and printed years in advance of the actual rate changes for which they were intended. In 1995, when the first-class rate rose from 32c to 33c, the postcard rate was not raised. There was, therefore, no need for an "H" postcard rate stamp. The existing supply, which may have made its way to some distribution centers, was never distributed to any local post offices and, in theory, should have been returned and destroyed. How these two managed to survive and actually be "properly" used (the sender knew that a single stamp would not pay the first-class rate) is still a mystery. Estimate: $5,000-$7,500