Scotts 28A US stamps 1857 5c

#28A - 1858 5¢ Indian Red (type I)

5¢
Indian Red
TYPE I

Printing Method: Die-to-relief-to-plate transfer process
Printer: Toppan, Carpenter & Co.
Subject: Thomas Jefferson
Number issued: 25,000
Perforations: 15 to 15½
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Scott #: 28A
Issued: March 31st, 1858

Value

Used
$1,600 - $5,000 (four margins)
$1,000 - $1,600 (three margins)
No postmark with gum (MH)
$90,000 - $120,000 (four margins)
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
No sales recorded

ID #28A

Inspiration for the Design

Thomas Jefferson 1743-1826
painted by Rembrandt Peale 1778-1860
Painted in 1800 when Jefferson was 57
Located at the White House

The rarest shade used

The largest known number of #28A on cover

#28A is nearly always found in multiples, here is a rare example of a single on cover.

The Indian red shade is the least common of the 5¢ perforated shades used. It is believed some of the plates from the imperforate issue were still useable and the Indian red shade (#28A) printed with these plates, probably the 1856 plates.

28A or 28b?

Quite often 28b will be mistaken for the more valuable 28A, a look at the image above could assist in identification. Drag the line to the left or right to see more of each stamp