Lagos SG#1 1d Slate Lilac 5th Printing Crown CC Watermark Perf.12.5 VF-77 Unused

A well centered and very fine unused example of the 1d slate lilac Queen Victoria De La Rue Keyplate stamp from the 1874-1876 Perf. 12.5 Crown CC issue. According to J.F Ince in his definitive work, there were a total of 19,800 stamps issued across 6 different printings between May 12, 1874 and May 13, 1875. This example is from the scarce fifth printing from February 3, 1875, of which only 3,000 stamps were printed. Vertical wove paper showing fine vertical mesh and watermarked crown CC. No gum, which does not detract significantly as original gum is not often found on crown CC issues. Stanley Gibbons values a VF-75 mint example of the more common sixth printing at 80 pounds = $160. However, only 15% of all stamps in existence are from the third printing, and consequently in our opinion, they are worth at least 25-50% more than the Gibbons price. A very fine unused example should be worth between $100-$120. The stamp offered here grades VF-77 unused as follows: Margins/centering: 50/70 Paper freshness: 2/5 Colour: 5/5 Impression: 5/5 Absence of visible paper flaws: 5/5 Perforations: 10/10