A VFNH example of the 1/2c black Queen Victoria from the 1897 Diamond Jubilee Issue, printed in the grey black shade on cream paper. This stamp shows several plate scratches which were not burnished off the plate prior to being put into production. The first is a small vertical scratch between "Half Cent". The second is a vertical scratch upward from the "N" of "Cent". The third is a small horizontal line through the bottom of the leaf above the "F" of Half. This line is normally not present. The individual close up scans show these markings. A very nice example of this scarce stamp.
Unitrade values the normal stamp at $420. The stamp offered here grades 80 as follows:
Centering/Margins: 50/70
Paper Freshness: 5/5
Colour: 5/5
Impression: 5/5
Absence of Visible Paper Flaws: 5/5
Perforations: 10/10
