1871 $500 US Internal Revenue Stamp,red orange green & black

Now you can own #R133  the rare high-value 1871 U.S. Documentary Revenue Stamp considered to be the most ornate, breathtaking stamp ever issued.
 

Documentary stamps show that appropriate revenue taxes have been paid.  A $500 tax in 1871 was equal to nearly $53,000 today  so fraudulent cleaning and re-use became tempting.  To foil such attempts, the Second Issue Documentary Revenue stamps featured exquisite designs and bold shades of red, orange and black  known to collectors as Persian Rugs. Only 210 high-value stamps were sold  and just 76 survive today.