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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.

Post Office Department

Postmasters and other officials of the Post Office Department were required to use these stamps on official mailings.

The plate numbers on the Post Office officials were poorly placed, often straddling two stamps.

Scott O47, 1¢ Post Office Department, plate number 43

Scott O47S, 1¢ Post Office Department, specimen, plate number 43

Scott O47S var, 1¢ Post Office, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number (4)3

Scott O48, 2¢ Post Office Department, plate number 37

Scott O48S var, 2¢ Post Office, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 37

Scott O49, 3¢ Post Office Department, bottom pair with plate number 30

Scott O49S var, 3¢ Post Office, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 36

Scott O50, 6¢ Post Office Department, top pair with plate number 47

Scott O50S var, 6¢ Post Office, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 47

Scott O51, 10¢ Post Office Department, used, bottom imprint single

Scott O51S var, 10¢ Post Office, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 62

Scott O52, 12¢ Post Office Department, plate number 71

Scott O53, 15¢ Post Office Department, plate number 66

Scott O53P3, 15¢ Post Office Department proof on india paper, partial plate number 66

Scott O53S var, 15¢ Post Office, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 66

Scott O54, 24¢ Post Office Department, plate number 74

Scott O54P3, 24¢ Post Office Department proof on india paper, partial plate number 74

Scott O54S var, 24¢ Post Office, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 74

Scott O55, 30¢ Post Office Department, plate number 68

Scott O55P3, 30¢ Post Office Department proof on india paper, partial plate number 68

Scott O55S var, 30¢ Post Office, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 68

Scott O56, 90¢ Post Office Department, plate number 88

Scott O56S var, 90¢ Post Office, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 88

In 1879, the American Bank Note Company reprinted the 3¢ denomination on soft porous paper.

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This page last updated September 4, 2017.