Lot 251539 – Italy, Offices in China, Peking, 1917. Overprint “PECHINO 8 CENTS” on 5 centesimi green.

Italy, Offices in China, Peking, 1917. Overprint “PECHINO 8 CENTS” on 5 centesimi green, instead of “2 CENTS”, Sassone 1AA. With full original gum without hinge, very well-centered, fresh, and of excellent colour. With certificate Helmut Avi 2012 and Giorgio Colla 2024, with multiple pencil signatures on back, incl. E. Diena.

The only known example of the “PECHINO 8 CENTS” variety; a top rarity of the Italian Post Office in China. “Si tratta dell’unico esemplare finora noto di questo rarissimo errore di soprastampa scoperto nel 1983”, (This is the only known example of this very rare overprint error discovered in 1983), Helmut Avi certificate. A major worldwide rarity, and a stunning never-hinged stamp of tremendous appeal.