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Official stamps

In the 1870s, government departments lost the franking privilege. Separate series of stamps were issued for each department's use. Except for the issues of the Post Office Department, which feature only numerals, the stamps were patterned on the then-current "banknote" issues.

1873 issues, Continental Bank Note Company

Printed on thin hard paper.

Treasury Department

Offices of the Treasury Department were required to use these stamps on official mailings.

Scott O72, 1¢ Treasury Department, plate number 44 (Image courtesy of Wallace Cleland)

Scott O72S var, 1¢ Treasury, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 44

Scott O73, 2¢ Treasury Department, pair with plate number 42

Scott O73S var, 2¢ Treasury, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number (4)2

Scott O74, 3¢ Treasury Department, pair with plate number 33

Scott O75, 6¢ Treasury Department, plate number 51

Scott O75S var, 6¢ Treasury, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 51

Scott O76S var, 7¢ Treasury, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 103

Scott O77, 10¢ Treasury Department, plate number 58

Scott O77S var, 10¢ Treasury, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 58

Scott O78, 12¢ Treasury Department, plate number 46

Scott O78S var, 12¢ Treasury, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 46

Scott O79, 15¢ Treasury Department, plate number 84

Scott O79S var, 15¢ Treasury, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 84

Scott O80S var, 24¢ Treasury, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number (1)34

This specimen may be the only known plate number example. None have been reported for the issued stamp.

Scott O81S var, 30¢ Treasury, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 69

Scott O82, 90¢ Treasury Department, plate number 61

Scott O82P3, 90¢ Treasury Department proof on india paper, plate number 61

The '1' was originally engraved where the '6' now appears.

Scott O82S var, 90¢ Treasury, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 61

In 1879, the American Bank Note Company reprinted the 3¢, 6¢, 10¢, 30¢ and 90¢ denominations on soft porous paper.

 

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This page last updated September 8, 2017.