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U.S. Newspaper stamps

1865 series, National Bank Note Company

Scott PR2TC-P3, 10¢ trial color proofs, dark green, plate number 39; and lake, plate number 39

(Images courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries)

Scott PR2TC-P3, 10¢ trial color proofs, black, plate number 39; and blue, plate number 39

(Images courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries)

Scott PR3TC-P3, 25¢ trial color proofs, blue green, plate number 40; and lake, plate number 40

(Images courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries)

Scott PR3TC-P3, 25¢ trial color proofs, black, plate number 40; and blue, plate number 40

(Images courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries)

Scott PR4TC5, 5¢ trial color proof, blue green, plate number 38; and Scott PR4TC, lake, plate number 38

(Images courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries)

Scott PR4TC, 5¢ trial color proof, black, plate number 38; and blue, plate number 38

(Images courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries)

Scott PR5, 5¢ blue, plate number 38

Scott PR5P4, 5¢ proof, blue, plate number 38

Scott PR6P4, 10¢ proof, dark green, plate number 39

Scott PR7P4, 25¢ proof, red, plate number 40

1875 series, Continental Bank Note Company

After the first series, other early newspaper stamps were printed with inscriptions only. Since there are no plate numbers, some plate number collectors go for imprint singles as a replacement.

Imprint singles of 2¢ Scott PR9, 3¢ PR11, 10¢ PR15, 2¢ PR33, 4¢ PR35

Imprint singles of proofs, 3¢ Scott PR10P3, 6¢ PR12P3, 8¢ PR13P3, 9¢ PR14P3, 10¢ PR15P3

Imprint singles of proofs, 12¢ Scott PR16P3, 24¢ PR17P3, 60¢ PR20P3, 96¢ PR23P3

Imprint singles of trial color proof, $6 Scott PR26TC3,

Imprint singles of proofs, $3 Scott PR25P3, $6 PR26P3, $24 PR29P, $48 PR32P4

Imprint singles of 2¢ Scott PR57, 3¢ PR58, 10¢ PR62, $12 PR75

Imprint singles of 12¢ Scott PR82, 24¢ PR83, 60¢ PR86, 96¢ proof PR89P3

Imprint singles of 2¢ Scott PR91, 12¢ PR95, 24¢ PR96, 36¢ PR97

Scott PR33a, 2¢, but not a plate number

Some early Newspaper stamps may appear to have been engraved with a plate number. Rather, the number in the selvage signifies the denomination, in this case 2 cents.

1894 BEP reprint from ABNC plates

Scott PR81, the 1¢ value issued in 1885, was the sole newspaper stamp of this design type to include a plate number. Scott PR90 was printed in 1894 by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing using plates supplied by the American Bank Note Company. Both were printed with plate number 482.

Scott PR81P3, 1¢ proof, plate number 482 (Image courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries)

1895 series, BEP

The final Newspaper stamp printings in 1895-97 included plate numbers.

Scott PR102, 1¢, plate number 90

Scott PR103, 2¢, plate number 100

Scott PR104, 5¢, plate number 93

Scott PR105, 10¢, plate number 105

Scott PR105 var, 10¢, misperfed horizontally, captured plate number 105

Scott PR106, 25¢, plate number 123

Scott PR108, $2, plate number 136

Scott PR109, $5, plate number 137

Scott PR112, $50, plate number 135

Scott PR102-PR113 can be distinguished from Scott PR114-PR125 only when in imprint strips of 3.

Scott PR114, 1¢, plate number 262

Scott PR115, 2¢, plate number 100

Scott PR116, 5¢, plate number 266

Scott PR117, 10¢, plate number 105

Scott PR118, 25¢, plate number 123

Scott PR119, 50¢, plate number 239

Scott PR120, $2, plate number 136

Scott PR121, $5 dark blue, plate number 137

Also "PR126" -- indistinguishable on the face, but with smooth white gum instead of the yellowish gum of the original printings, whiter paper, and a "sharp, clear-cut image" as compared to the "softer appearance" of the originals. Scott no longer lists PR126 through PR130, although at one time it printed albums with spaces for these separate numbers.

Scott PR121a, $5 light blue, plate number 137

Scanners and computers may not show the distinction, but the shade received a certificate.

Scott PR122, $10, plate number 138 -- also "PR127"

Scott PR123, $20, plate number 139 -- also "PR128"

Scott PR124, $50, plate number 135 -- also "PR129"

Scott PR125, $100, plate number 140 -- also "PR130"

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This page last updated July 17, 2022.

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