5c Blue (179). Original
gum, lightly hinged, almost perfectly centered with wide balanced margins
all around, incredibly rich color on deeply blued paper, sharp and detailed
impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE CONTINENTAL 1875 5-CENT TAYLOR. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH EXCEPTIONALLY CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
The addition of a 5c value was made necessary by the creation of the General Post Union in 1874, which specified a rate of 5c between member countries, effective July 1, 1875. Of the two regular-issue 5c Taylor stamps -- Scott 179 (Continental) and Scott 185 (American) -- the former is much more difficult to obtain in this superb original-gum condition because comparatively few multiples have ever been available to feed the demand for singles.
With 2002 P.F. certificate (Image)