Lost green card AFTER filing i-751

[ua747sp 5]

Same story to tell as @NYBEtt. Wife got stamp today. Our timeline was quick and as follows:

• 7/7 - We realize expired green card is missing after a trip to California (extension letter is safe at home). Oh no! Turning the apartment over and calls to about 15 different places we were during the trip over the next couple days. No luck.
• 7/8 - Phone call to USCIS. About 25-minute wait time calling at 8:05am ET on Monday. We explained the situation and asked for an ADIT stamp. They said they will call back within 48-72 hours to schedule appointment.
• 7/10 - Phone call from USCIS to schedule an appointment. Appointment scheduled for local field office for 7/19. Told to print out appointment letter and bring passport, extension letter, and I-751 reference number.
• 7/19 - Arrive 30 minutes early for appointment at Houston field office. Waited about 5 minutes before being called. Helped by an extremely nice gentleman. Asked for printout of appointment, passport, and something with wife's A number on it. (We provided the extension letter.) Had stamp in 3 minutes. Stamp has date of issue, expiry date, A number, I-751 reference number, and a notation of her being a CR-1. He very helpfully explained that this was 100% equivalent to a green card and can be used for entry to US, proof of status, and proof of employment eligibility. We were out almost 20 minutes before our scheduled appointment time. Free of charge. Super easy!