OH My. This Was Unexpected...

Wow! Amazing stamp! Thanks for sharing with us.

Since there was a difference of opinion as to double impression vs. double transfer, I contacted Brian Bleckwenn at the Philatelic Foundation, one of the foremost experts on 1st issue revenues, to find out (1) whether the PF has ever certified an R53f (double impression) and if so was there an image available, and (2) what his opinion was of the stamp in question.

His opinion introduced a third option: a kiss impression rather than a double impression. With a true double impression, the sheet passes through the press twice, whereas a "kiss print" or "kiss impression" is due to slippage of the paper causing the second impression (most front-of-book listed double impressions are kiss prints, not true double impressions). Based on this stamp exhibiting doubling of most features, but not the majority of the portrait, this diagnosis makes sense.

For it to be a double transfer, there would have to be a second example from the same plate position confirming the constant plate flaw.

So it's not the home run I thought it was, but it's still a dramatic appearing EFO.

There was some discussion of kiss prints in emails off the board.