U.S. Revenue stamps - continued
Beer stamps
This page illustrates plate number singles of stamps for taxes on beer and malt liquor.
- Beer (Scott prefix REA)
-
Fermented Liquor (regular Beer Tax stamps were used)
-
Fermented Malt Liquor (regular Beer Tax stamps were used)
- Retail Dealer in Fermented Liquors special tax stamps
- Retail Dealer in Fermented Liquors (Malt or Vinous) special tax stamps
- Retail Dealer in Malt Liquors special tax stamps
- Retail Dealer in Wines and Malt Liquors special tax stamps (see Wine)
- Temporary Retail Dealer in Fermented Malt Liquor special tax stamps
- Temporary Retail Dealer in Fermented Liquors (Malt or Vinous) special tax stamps
- Wholesale Dealer in Malt Liquors special tax stamps
- Wholesale Dealer in Fermented Malt Liquor special tax stamps
- Brewer's Permit stamps (Springer prefix SAK)
- Brewer of 500 Barrels or More special tax stamps (Springer SAK)
- Rectifier of Less Than 500 Barrels special tax stamps (Springer SBD) (see Liquor)
Beer stamps (also "Fermented Liquor" and "Fermented Malt Liquor")
The tax is frequently based on the volume of the alcohol being taxed. This eliminated the requirement to produce multiple denominations, sometimes with fractional cents. If the tax was based on barrels, pints, gallons or similar units of measure, it also allowed regulators to easily change the tax rate without requiring new stamps. Please report any new discoveries.
Series of 1866
Scott
REA1, 1/8 barrel / 12-1/2¢: plate number 1 assigned but no example is known; also 2, 3
Scott
REA2, 1/6 barrel / 16-2/3¢: plate numbers 1 reversed, 2, 3
Scott
REA3, 1/4 barrel / 25¢: plate numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 on stamps, plate number 5 on proof
Scott
REA4, 1/2 barrel / 50¢: plate numbers 1, 2, 3
Scott
REA5, 1 barrel / $1: plate number 1
Scott
REA6, 1 hogshead / 2 barrels / $2: plate number 1
Series of 1867
Scott
REA7, 1/8 barrel / 12-1/2¢: plate number 4
Scott
REA8, 1/6 barrel / 16-2/3¢: plate number 4 assigned but no example is known
Scott
REA9, 1/4 barrel / 25¢: plate number 7 on stamps, plate number 6 on proof
Scott
REA10, 1/3 barrel / 33-1/3¢: plate number 1. The 1/3 barrel value was introduced because, according to the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum, "this size barrel was ideal for transport by mule in the mountains of the western states (two per mule). The 1/4 barrel size wasted mule potential, and the 1/2 barrel size was too heavy for a mule."
Scott
REA11, 1/2 barrel / 50¢: plate number 4
Scott
REA12, 1 barrel / $1: plate number 2
Scott
REA13, 1 hogshead / 2 barrels / $2: plate number 2
Series of 1870
Scott
REA14, 1/8 barrel / 12-1/2¢: plate numbers 1-11
Scott
REA15, 1/6 barrel / 16-2/3¢: plate numbers 1-4
Scott
REA16, 1/4 barrel / 25¢: plate numbers 1-14
Scott
REA17, 1/2 barrel / 50¢: plate numbers 1-4
Scott
REA18, 1 barrel / $1: plate numbers 1-4
Scott
REA19, 1 hogshead / 2 barrels / $2: plate numbers 1, 2
Series of 1871
Vignette images are: Jackson (1/8 barrel); Lincoln (1/6); Daniel Webster (1/4); Adm. David G. Farragut (1/3); Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman (1/2); Treasury Secretary Hugh McCulloch (1 barrel); Hamilton (1 hogshead).
Scott
REA20, 1/8 barrel / 12-1/2¢, Series of 1871: plate numbers unknown
Scott
REA21, 1/6 barrel / 16-2/3¢, inscription PRINIING misspelled, Series of 1871: plate numbers unknown

Scott
REA22b, 1/4 barrel / 25¢, gray silk paper, Series of 1871, frame plate number 28
Scott
REA23, 1/3 barrel / 16-2/3¢, Series of 1871, frame plate number 45 is known

Scott
REA25, 1/2 barrel / 25¢ Sherman, gray silk paper, Series of 1871, brown frame plate number 33

Scott
REA26, 1/2 barrel / 50¢, white silk paper, Series of 1871, red frame plate number 5
Scott
REA28, 1 barrel / $1 "McCullough" misspelled (should be McCulloch), Series of 1871, yellow orange: frame plate number 6 is known
Seward and Lincoln appointed McCulloch Comptroller of the Currency 1863-65. He then served as Treasury Secretary under Lincoln and Andrew Johnson 1865-69, and again under Chester Arthur 1884-85. As the stamp was issued in 1871, this is another rare example of a living person appearing on a U.S. stamp. He died in 1895, the last surviving member of Lincoln's cabinet. He also appeared on $20 banknotes as late as the 1902 Series.
Scott
REA28, 1 barrel / $1 "McCullough" misspelled (should be McCulloch), PRINIING misspelled, Series of 1871, scarlet
Scott
REA29, 1 hogshead (2 barrels) / $2 Hamilton, PRINIING misspelled, Series of 1871, frame plate number unknown
Series of 1875
Vignettes printed by Bureau of Engraving and Printing; frames printed by National Bank Note Company

Scott
REA31, 1/6 barrel / 16-2/3¢, Series of 1875, vignette plate number 17

Scott
REA34, 1/2 barrel / 50¢, Series of 1875, vignette plate number 13
Series of 1878
Vignette images are: Washington (1/8 barrel); Treasury Secretary Thomas Corwin (1/6); Missouri senator Thomas Hart Benton (1/4); Treasury Secretary Philip Francis Thomas (1/3); Jefferson (1/2); Andrew Johnson (1 barrel); New York governor and senator Silas Wright, Jr. (1 hogshead).

Scott
REA37e, 1/8 barrel / 12-1/2¢, Series of 1878, plate number 5087 (Image courtesy of Mystic Stamp Company)

Scott
REA37P var, 1/8 barrel / 12-1/2¢, Series of 1878, Type I with p# and postion number references in the design, proof plate number 1589 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA37P var, 1/8 barrel / 12-1/2¢, Series of 1878, Type II without p# and postion number references in the design, proof plate number 6315 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA38, 1/6 barrel / 16-2/3¢, green paper, Series of 1878, plate number 1836

Scott
REA38P, 1/6 barrel / 16-2/3¢, Series of 1878, vignette proof plate number 1979 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA39c, 1/4 barrel / 25¢, pale green paper, Series of 1878, plate number 49

Scott
REA39d, 1/4 barrel / 25¢, pale green paper, Series of 1878, plate number 1750

Scott
REA39e, 1/4 barrel / 25¢ Benton, blue paper, Series of 1878, green plate number 1 (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)

Scott
REA39f, 1/4 barrel / 25¢, dark blue paper, Series of 1878, green plate number 2 (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)

Scott
REA39P, 1/4 barrel / 25¢ proof, Series of 1878, plate number 6438 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA40d, 1/3 barrel / 33-1/3¢, light blue paper, Series of 1878, black plate number 1579

Scott
REA41d, 1/2 barrel / 50¢ Jefferson, light blue paper, Series of 1878, black plate number 3040 (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)

Scott
REA41e, 1/2 barrel / 50¢, blue paper, Series of 1878, yellow plate number 1 (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)

Scott
REA41f, 1/2 barrel / 50¢, dark blue paper, Series of 1878, yellow plate number 1 (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)

Scott
REA41P var, 1/2 barrel / 50¢, Series of 1878, proof plate number 4582 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA42e, 1 barrel / $1 Seward, dark blue paper, Series of 1878, black plate number 4805

Scott
REA42P, 1 barrel / $1, Series of 1878, proof plate number 6646 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA43, 1 hogshead / $2, green paper, Series of 1878, plate number 1

Scott
REA43P, 1 hogshead / $2, Series of 1878, vignette proof plate number 6869 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
1898 Provisional issues

Scott
REA48a, 1 barrel handstamp surcharge on 1/2 barrel, Series of 1898, plate number 7588

Scott
REA50, $4 surcharge on $2, red Series of 1898 overprint, plate number 3611 (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)

Scott
REA51, 1/8 barrel, $2 per barrel surcharge, red Series of 1898 overprint, plate number 5087 (Image courtesy of Richard Friedberg Stamps)

Scott
REA52b, 1 barrel handstamp surcharge on Scott REA38e, Series of 1898, plate number 1979

Scott
REA59, 1/3 barrel / 33-1/3¢, Series of 1898, plate number 8782 (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)

Scott
REA60, 1/2 barrel / 50¢, Series of 1898, green plate number 1 (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)
Series of 1901
Vignette images are: Washington (1/8 barrel, now 20¢); Treasury Secretary Thomas Corwin (1/6 barrel, now 26-2/3¢); Missouri senator Thomas Hart Benton (1/4 barrel, now 40¢); Treasury Secretary Philip Francis Thomas (1/3 barrel now 53-1/3¢); Jefferson (1/2 barel, now 80¢); Andrew Johnson (1 barrel, now $1.60); New York governor and senator Silas Wright, Jr. (1 hogshead, now $3.20).

Scott
REA65P var, 1/8 barrel / 20¢ proof of the vignette, Series of 1901, plate number 12530 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA66, 1/6 barrel / 26-2/3¢, Series of 1901, plate number 12525
Image from the discovery copy reported in February 2016 United States Specialist

Scott
REA66P var, 1/6 barrel / 26-2/3¢ proof of the vignette, Series of 1901, plate number 12779 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA67, 1/4 barrel / 40¢, Series of 1901, plate number 12934 (Image courtesy of eBay / northstamp)

Scott
REA67P var, 1/4 barrel / 40¢ proof of the vignette, Series of 1901, plate number 12761 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA68P var, 1/3 barrel / 53-1/3¢ proof of the vignette, Series of 1901, plate number 12358 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA69, 1/2 barrel / 80¢, Series of 1901, plate number 13210 (Image courtesy of Danny Weissman / eBay / djs stamps)
This is the discovery copy of this previously unknown plate number.

Scott
REA69P var, 1/2 barrel / 80¢ proof of the vignette, Series of 1901, plate number 12680 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA70P var, 1 barrel / $1.60 proof of the vignette, Series of 1901, plate number 12706 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA71P var, 1 hogshead / $3.20 proof of the vignette, Series of 1901, plate number 13593 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Series of 1902
Vignette images are: Washington (1/8 barrel, now 12-1/2¢); Treasury Secretary Thomas Corwin (1/6 barrel, now 16-2/3¢); Missouri senator Thomas Hart Benton (1/4 barrel, now 25¢); Treasury Secretary Philip Francis Thomas (1/3 barrel now 33-1/3¢); Jefferson (1/2 barel, now 50¢); Andrew Johnson (1 barrel, now $1.00); New York governor and senator Silas Wright, Jr. (1 hogshead, now $2.00).

Scott
REA75c, 1/8 barrel / 12-1/2¢, Series of 1902, plate number 26456 (Image courtesy of Mystic Stamp Company)
Scott
REA76, 1/6 barrel / 16-2/3¢, Series of 1902

Scott
REA77c, 1/4 barrel / 25¢, light blue paper, Series of 1902, plate number 20324 (Image courtesy of U.S. Specialist)

Scott
REA79c, 1/2 barrel / 50¢, light blue paper, Series of 1902, plate number 20320

Scott
REA79P var, 1/2 barrel / 50¢ proof of the vignette, Series of 1902, plate number 27839 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA80c, 1 barrel / $1, Series of 1902, plate number 14407 (Image courtesy of Mystic Stamp Company)
Series of 1909 (1909-1911)

Scott
REA82P, 1/8 barrel / 12-1/2¢, Series of 1909, proof in brown, plate number 33131 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA82P var, 1/8 barrel / 12-1/2¢, Series of 1909, proof in black, plate number 31326 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA83, 1/6 barrel / 16-2/3¢, Series of 1909, plate number 33190
Series of 1910 (1909-1911)

Scott
REA92, 1/8 barrel / 12-1/2¢, Series of 1910, plate number 32xxx (Image courtesy of Mystic Stamp Company)

Scott
REA93, 1/4 barrel / 25¢, Series of 1910, plate number xxxx5 (Image courtesy of Mystic Stamp Company)

Scott
REA94, 1/2 barrel / 75¢, Series of 1909, straddle plate number 462xx
1914 emergency series, surcharged

Scott
REA97, 1/6 barrel / (25¢) surcharge on Scott REA83, straddle plate number 461xx

Scott
REA99, 1/3 barrel / (33-1/3¢) surcharge on Scott REA85, straddle plate number xx221

Scott
REA99A, 1/3 barrel / (50¢) surcharge on Scott REA78d, plate number 14920
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Scott
REA100, 1/2 barrel / (75¢) surcharge on Scott REA86, plate number (46)873
Series of 1914 / Act of 1914

Scott
REA106, 1/8 barrel / 18-3/4¢, Series of 1914, straddle plate number 462xx. Also LL pos with initials of siderographer W.McA.

Scott
REA106P, 1/8 barrel / 18-3/4¢, Series of 1914, proof plate number 46181 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Scott
REA108P, 1/3 barrel / 50¢, Series of 1914, proof plate number 46314 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA109, 1/2 barrel / 75¢, Series of 1914, plate numbers 462xx, (462)65, 462(4?)x
(462xx image courtesy of Mystic Stamp Company)

Scott
REA109P, 1/2 barrel / 75¢, Series of 1914, proof plate number 46257 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA110P, 1 barrel / $1.50, Series of 1914, proof plate number F60493 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA110P, 1 hogshead / $3, Series of 1914, proof plate number 46267 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Series of 1916 / Act of 1916

Scott
REA115P, 1/4 barrel / 37-1/2¢, Series of 1916, proof plate number 53786 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Scott
REA116, 1/2 barrel / 75¢, Series of 1916, straddle plate number (53)724

Scott
REA116P, 1/2 barrel / 75¢, Series of 1916, proof plate number 65035 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
1917 series, surcharged "Act of 1917"

Scott
REA118, 1/8 barrel / (37-1/2¢) surcharge on REA106, straddle plate number 46xxx. Also LL pos with initials of siderographer W.McA.

Scott
REA121, 1/4 barrel / (75¢) surcharge on REA108, straddle plate number 462xx. Also LL pos with initials of siderographer R.C. (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)

Scott
REA122, 1/4 barrel / (75¢) surcharge on Scott REA115, straddle plate number (53)870

Scott
REA122c, 1/4 barrel / (75¢) surcharge on Scott REA115, straddle plate number 538xx (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)

Scott
REA124, 1/2 barrel / ($1.50) surcharge on 75¢ Scott REA116, straddle plate number 563xx

Scott
REA124d, inverted overprint error, plate number 58999 (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)
1918 series

Scott
REA137, ($1.50) on 37-1/2¢, straddle plate number 46211 (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)

Scott
REA139a, ($1.50) on 37-1/2¢, straddle plate number 53786 (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)

Scott
REA143 1/2 barrel / ($3.00) surcharge on Scott REA124c, straddle plate number F65718

Scott
REA145 1 barrel / ($12.00) surcharge on Scott REA125c, straddle plate number 60493

Scott
REA147 1 barrel / ($12.00) surcharge on Scott REA111, straddle plate number 46258
Later beer stamps were issued without plate numbers. Plate numbers are found only on the proof sheets. Proof sheets were not made available to collectors and are known only in the collection of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum.
Series of 1933, Fermented Liquor

Scott
REA152P, 1/8 barrel Fermented Liquor, Series of 1933, proof plate number 126034 with C.S. indicating Chromium Steel finishing

Scott
REA153P, 1/6 barrel Fermented Liquor, Series of 1933, proof plate number 125988

Scott
REA154P, 1/4 barrel Fermented Liquor, Series of 1933, proof plate number 125998 with C.S.
Scott
REA155, 1/3 barrel Fermented Liquor, Series of 1933

Scott
REA156P, 1/2 barrel Fermented Liquor, Series of 1933, proof plate number 126045 with C.S.

Scott
REA157P, 1 barrel Fermented Liquor, Series of 1933, proof plate number 126087 with C.S.

Scott
REA158P, 1 hogshead Fermented Liquor, Series of 1933, proof plate number 126053 with C.S.

Scott
REA159P, 5 barrels Fermented Liquor, Series of 1933, proof plate number 126057 with C.S.
Series of 1933, Fermented Malt Liquor
Scott
REA171, 1/8 barrel Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1933
Scott
REA172, 1/6 barrel Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1933

Scott
REA173P, 1/4 barrel Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1933, proof plate number 127409 with C.S.

Scott
REA???P, 1/3 barrel Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1933, proof plate number 127049 with C.S.

Scott
REA174P, 1/2 barrel Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1933, proof plate number 126959 with C.S.
Scott
REA175, 1 barrel Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1933

Scott
REA176P, 1 hogshead / 2 barrels Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1933, proof plate number F127037 with C.S.

Scott
REA177P, 5 barrels Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1933, proof plate number 126945 with CS

Scott
REA178P, 10 barrels Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1933, proof plate number F152178 with CS

Scott
REA178AP, 25 barrels Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1933, proof plate number F158294 with CS
(All Series 1933 proof images courtesy of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum)
Series of 1934
These stamps were introduced in November 1934, and were in use for twenty years. They are denominated in barrels or fractions of barrels, which corresponded to different monetary values at different times of their use:
$5 per barrel, November 1934 - June 30, 1940
$6 per barrel, July 1, 1940 - October 31, 1942
$7 per barrel, November 1, 1942 - March 31, 1944
$8 per barrel, April 1, 1944 - October 31, 1951
$9 per barrel, November 1, 1951 - December 31, 1954

Scott
REA181P, 1/8 barrel Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1934, proof plate number F133812 with CS

Scott
REA182P, 1/6 barrel Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1934, proof plate number F133814 with CS

Scott
REA183P, 1/4 barrel Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1934, proof plate number F155402 with CS

Scott
REA184P, 1/3 barrel Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1934, proof plate number F133802 with CS

Scott
REA185P, 1/2 barrel Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1934, proof plate number 130348 with CI

Scott
REA186P, 1 barrel Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1934, proof plate number F155440 with CS

Scott
REA187P, 1 hogshead Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1934, proof plate number F129999 with CS. The "2" denomination refers to the number of barrels in a hogshead.
Scott
REA188, 100 barrels Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1942 Scott
REA189, 500 barrels Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1945
(All Series 1934 proof images courtesy of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum)
Series of 1947
The earliest known use of these stamps was February 18, 1948. They used the same designs as the Series of 1934 stamps. The 1/6 barrel was prepared but was not released for use. The 1/3 barrel and 1 hogshead / 2 barrel denominations were discontinued. Some examples are known only through the Smithsonian deaccession or from proofs in the National Postal Museum archives. The barrel denominations corresponded to different monetary values at different times of their use:
$8 per barrel, April 1, 1944 - October 31, 1951
$9 per barrel, November 1, 1951 - December 31, 1954
Scott
REA190, 1/8 barrel Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1947
Scott
REA190B, 1/6 barrel Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1947 (not officially issued)
Scott
REA191, 1/4 barrel Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1947
Scott
REA192, 1/2 barrel Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1947
Scott
REA193, 1 barrel Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1947
Scott
REA194, 5 barrels Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1947
Scott
REA195, 10 barrels Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1947
Scott
REA196, 25 barrels Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1947
Scott
REA197, 100 barrels Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1947
Scott
REA198, 500 barrels Fermented Malt Liquor, Series of 1947
Beginning in 1955, breweries paid the taxes through a self-reporting system, and beer stamps were no longer required.
(Rate information courtesy of the grand award-winning exhibit of post-Prohibition beer stamps at the Rockford Stamp Show, March 2025.)
Brewer's Permit stamps
Series of 1871
Series of 1872 / Act of June 6, 1872
Labeled "First Series" but follows the earlier 1871 series.

Springfield 1A, Two Smokers, Series of 1872, plate
number
1 (Image courtesy of the Eric Jackson)

Springfield 1A, Springer SAK??P, Two Smokers, Series of 1872, proof plate
number
2 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Series of 1875
Springfield 2, Springer SAK??, Farmer, black on green paper, Series of 1875
Series of 1878

Springfield 3B, Springer SAK??P, Agriculture and Industry, Series of 1878, proof with plate
number
1623 in pencil (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Springfield 3B, Springer SAK??P, Agriculture and Industry, Series of 1878, proof plate
number
1623 engraved. This is likely a second proof after the missing plate number from the previous proof had been corrected. (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Series of 1880
No plate number examples have been reported.
Series of 1911

Springer SAK??P, Series of 1911, proof plate
number
37413 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Brewer of 500 Barrels or More special tax stamps
Springer SAK??, $100 F.Y.E. 1937
Please report any plate number examples.
Retail Dealer in Fermented Liquors special tax stamp
Springer
SA??, $20, F.Y.E. 1934
Please report any plate number examples.
Temporary Retail Dealer in Fermented Liquors (Malt or Vinous) special tax stamp
Uncatalogued, $2.20, known with handstamped 1948 date
Please report any plate number examples.
Wholesale Dealer in Fermented Malt Liquor [Beer] special tax stamp
Springer
SAF??, $55, F.Y.E. 1945
Springer
SAF??, $55, F.Y.E. 1950
Please report any plate number examples.
Wholesale Dealer in Malt Liquors [Beer] special tax stamp
Springer
SAF??, $50, Series of 1873: no plate number
Springer
SAF??, $50, Series of 1876: no plate number
Springer
SAF??, $50, Series of 1877: no plate number
Springer
SAF??, $50, Series of 1878: no plate number
Springer
SAF??, $50, Series of 1879: no plate number
Springer
SAF??, $50, Series of 1880: no plate number
Springer
SAF??, $50, Series of 1881: no plate number
Springer
SAF??, $50, Series of 1882: no plate number
Springer
SAF??, $50, Series of 1902 / Act of October 1, 1890
Springer
SAF??, $50, Series of 1903 / Act of October 1, 1890

Springer
SAF??P, $50, Series of 1914 / Act of 1890, proof plate number 37640 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Springer
SAF??, $100, F.Y.E. 1957
Springer
SAF??, $123, F.Y.E. 1985
Springer
SAF??, $500, F.Y.E. 1986
Please report any plate number examples.
Retail Dealer in Fermented Malt Liquor [Beer] special tax stamp
Springer
SAE??, $20, F.Y.E. 1937
Springer
SAE??, $20, F.Y.E. 1939
Springer
SAE??, $22, F.Y.E. 1947
Springer
SAE??, $22, F.Y.E. 1948
Please report any plate number examples.
[Temporary] Retail Dealer in Fermented Malt Liquors special tax stamp (fairs, reunions, picnics, carnivals, charitable events...)
Unlisted, $2.00, example known with 1940 handstamped date
Please report any plate number examples.
Retail Dealer in Malt Liquors [Beer] special tax stamp
Series of 1873-1885
$20, Series of 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885: no plate number
Series of 1891 / Act of 1890

Springer
SA??P, $20, Series of 1891, proof plate number 3071 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Series of 1892 / Act of 1890

Springer
SA??P, $20, Series of 1892, proof plate number 3078 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Series of 1893 / Act of 1890

Springer
SA??P, $20, Series of 1893, proof plate number 3071 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Series of 1894 / Act of 1890

Springer
SA??P, $20, Series of 1894, proof plate number 3078 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)

Series of 1895 / Act of 1890
Springer
SA??P, $20, Series of 1895, proof plate number 3071 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Series of 1900 / Act of 1890

Springer
SA??P, $20, Series of 1900, proof plate number 3071 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Springer
SA??, $22, F.Y.E. 1956
Please report any additional plate number examples.
Other Alcohol Tax stamps
Plate numbers have been reported on taxpaid revenue stamps printed for
Distilled Spirits Bottle Labels (Springer ARBxx)
Distilled Spirits for Export stamps (Springer ADAxx)
Imported Distilled Spirits stamps (Scoville CIS1-CIS7, 1890(?)-1935)
Retail Dealer in Wines and Malt Liquors stamps (1940-49) (Springer SACxx)
Retail Liquor Dealer stamps
(1875 - 1967?) (Springer SBxx)
Medicinal Spirits Stamp Tax (1941-49) (Springer SBJxx)
Fortified Sweet Wine stamps (1890)
(Springer ABExx)
Imported Wine and Malt Liquor stamps (1891) (Springer CGxx)
Transfer Stamp for Grape Brandy (1911) (Springer ABNxx)
Industrial Alcohol Transfer stamps
(~1923) (Springer ACExx)
Distillery Bonded Warehouse stamps
(Springer ABHxx)
General Bonded Warehouse Re-transfer stamps (1894-1912+)
(Springer ACBxx)
Brewer's Permits (1871, 1878)
(Springer SAKxx)
Rectifier of Less Than 500 Bbls Per Year stamps
(1879 - 1902) (Springer SBDxx)
Manufacturer of Nonbeverage Products Withdrawals... (1943-49)
Many of these plate numbers are known only from proof sheets or Bureau of Engraving and Printing records. In many cases, plate number examples on actual stamps have not been reported.
Plate numbers are not known on
Distilled Spirites stamp for Stock On Hand (Lesher 1, 1868)
Imported Wine or Liquor stamps (Scoville CW1-CW9)
Rectifier of Distilled Spirits stamps (1873 - 1885?)
Retail Dealer in Malt Liquors stamps (1873? - 1940?)
Retail Dealer in Malt Liquor (At Large) stamps (c. 1955)
Retail Dealer in Liquors (At Large) stamps (c. 1943
- 1995?)
Retail Dealer in Fermented Liquors stamps (1933 - 1934)
Retail Dealer in Fermented Malt Liquors stamps (1942 - 1949, some examples known through 1953)
(Temporary)
Retail Dealer in Fermented Malt Liquors picnic stamps (c. 1950)
Retail Malt Liquor Dealer (Beer) stamps (c. 1954 - c. 1972)
Wholesale Liquor Dealer stamps (c. 1873 - 1959?)
Wholesale Dealer in Malt Liquors stamps (c. 1873 - 1914?)
Wholesale Dealer in Fermented Liquors (1933 - 1934)
Wholesale Dealer in Fermented Malt Liquors (1942 - 1953?)
Wholesale Malt Liquor Dealer (Beer) stamps (c. 1954 - 2003?)
Brewer of Less Than 500 Bbls
Per Year stamps (c. 1873 - 1885?)
Brewer of 500 Bbls or More stamps (c. 1873 - 1984?)
Rectifier of Less Than 500 Bbls stamps (c. 1934 - 1935?)
Rectifier of 500 Bbls or More stamps (1945 example in green and red, with coupons)
Alcohol Warehousing [bottle] stamp, affixed to package entered into industrial alcohol bonded warehouse
Some of these stamps are huge, up to 8 inches high by 16 inches wide.
Please report any new discoveries.
State Alcohol Tax stamps
Plate numbers are unusual on state-issued revenue stamps of any type. Stamps with serial numbers, counting numbers, tracking numbers, position numbers, row or column numbers and other references are often mis-described as having "plate numbers." However, exceptions are known with genuine plate numbers, especially if the state-level stamp was printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Please report any new discoveries.

California 8 oz. / 5¢ Distilled Spirits tax stamp, possible plate number A1L5

Maine State Liquor Commission LS4, LS6, nondenomimated, with serial numbers

North Caroline W60S, 7¢ Wine Tax specimen, serial number 000

Pennsylvania B4 (1937), 1 Pint on 50¢ Beverage Tax, plate number 32 (Image courtesy of eBay / mattstef)

West Virginia B8 (1961), 1/4 barrel, Nonalcoholic Malt Beverage Tax, with serial number (Image courtesy of The American Revenuer, Nov.-Dec. 2008)
District of Columbia Beverage Tax stamps
Congress had jurisdiction over the District of Columbia, so when tax stamps were desired at the local level, they were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
First Series, flat plate printings

Scott
RE??P, 1/16 gallon, prepared in 1934, flat plate proof plate
number
F129501

Scott
RE??P, 1/10 gallon, prepared in 1934, flat plate proof plate
number
F128720

Scott
RE??P, 1/8 gallon, prepared in 1935, flat plate proof plate
number
131703

Scott
RE??P, 1/5 gallon, prepared in 1943, flat plate proof plate
number
(F)154014
Second Series, rotary press printings

Scott
RE??P, 1/80th gallon, printed in 1950, rotary press proof plate
number
161715

Scott
RE??P, 1/16th gallon, printed in 1948, rotary press proof plate
number
160187

Scott
RE??P, 1/5 gallon, printed in 1948, rotary press proof plate
number
160189

Scott
RE??P, 1 gallon, printed in 1955, rotary press proof plate
number
165379
Third Series, rotary press printing with values as surcharge

Scott
RE??P, blank gallon, printed in 1958, rotary press frame, proof plate
number
166776
The blank frame was to be overprinted with a fractional gallon value in a process similar to how the values for wine stamps and the final series of postage due stamps were handled. This avoided the time and expense of having to create separate plates for each fractional gallon value.
(All DC beverage tax proof images courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Related links:
Earlier Revenues
Documentary stamps
Proprietary stamps
Stock Transfer stamps
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This page last updated
March 21, 2026.

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