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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.

Department of the Interior

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

Scott O15, 1¢ Department of the Interior, plate number 52

Scott O15S var, 1¢ Interior, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 52

Scott O16, 2¢ Department of the Interior, plate number 45

Scott O16S var, 2¢ Interior, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 45

Scott O17, 3¢ Department of the Interior, plate number 27

Scott O17S var, 3¢ Interior, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 27

Scott O18, 6¢ Department of the Interior, plate number 56

Scott O18S var, 6¢ Interior, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 56

Scott O19, 10¢ Department of the Interior, plate number 109 (Image courtesy of Wallace Cleland)

Scott O19S var, 10¢ Interior, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 109

Scott O20, 12¢ Department of the Interior, plate number 49

Scott O20S var, 12¢ Interior, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 49

Scott O21, 15¢ Department of the Interior, plate number 93

Scott O21S var, 15¢ Interior, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 93

Scott O22, 24¢ Department of the Interior, plate number 104 (Image courtesy of Wallace Cleland)

Scott O22S var, 24¢ Interior, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 104

Scott O23, 30¢ Department of the Interior, plate number 95

Scott O23, 30¢ Department of the Interior used, captured partial plate number 95

Scott O23S var, 30¢ Interior, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 95

Scott O24, 90¢ Department of the Interior, plate number 108

Scott O24S var, 90¢ Interior, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 108

In 1879, the American Bank Note Company reprinted the 1¢, 2¢, 3¢, 6¢, 10¢, 12¢, 15¢ and 24¢ denominations on soft porous paper.

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This page last updated September 4, 2017.