A VG centered used used example of the of the 5c orange red beaver stamp on medium horizontal wove paper, showing a "burr above C of Canada". Perf. 11.75 x 12, which places it in the period between 1861 and 1864. An interesting variety that is not listed in Unitrade, but unboubtedly is very likely listed in Whitworth's book. Unitrade values a VG used example of the normal stamp without the variety for $7.50, but we estimate that with the variety it should be at least $15. The stamp offered here grades 605 as follows:
Centering/margins: 20/60
Paper freshness: 5/5
Colour: 5/5
Impression: 5/5
Absence of visible paper flaws: 5/5
Perforations: 10/10
Cancellation: 10/10
Note: on this issue Unitrade uses relative grading, due to the poor centering on the issue in general. So what I would grade as VG will be F in Unitrade. What I would grade as F will be VF and what I would grade as VF would be superlative, and well over the Unitrade value for VF. So to avoid confusion I have altered my grading to correspond to Unitrade's grading scale on this issue only.
