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U.S. Possessions

This section illustrates plate number material for overprints on regular U.S. issues.

Puerto Rico (1899-1900)

Stamps of the Spanish colony of Puerto Rico were used until 1898. The overprints were in effect for a very short period. Use of regular U.S. stamps superseded the overprints in 1900.

Overprints of the U.S. 1895 and 1898 First Bureau Series - "Porto Rico"

Puerto Rico Scott 210, 1¢ green, overprint at 36º angle, plate number 567 (on U.S. Scott 279)

Puerto Rico Scott 210a, 1¢ green, overprint at 25º angle, plate number 564 (on U.S. Scott 279)

Puerto Rico Scott 211, 2¢ red, overprint at 36º angle, plate number 758 (on U.S. Scott 279B)

Puerto Rico Scott 211a, 2¢ reddish carmine, overprint at 25º angle, plate number 758 (on U.S. Scott 279B)

Puerto Rico Scott 211a, 2¢ carmine, overprint at 25º angle, plate number 779 (on U.S. Scott 279B)

Puerto Rico Scott 212, 5¢, plate number 389 (on U.S. Scott 281)

Puerto Rico Scott 213, 8¢, overprint at 36º angle, plate number 555 (on U.S. Scott 272)

Puerto Rico Scott 213a, 8¢, overprint at 25º angle, plate number 249 (on U.S. Scott 272)

Puerto Rico Scott 214, 10¢, plate number 302 (on U.S. Scott 282C)

Overprints of the U.S. 1895 and 1898 First Bureau Series - "Puerto Rico"

Puerto Rico Scott 215, 1¢, plate number 946 (on U.S. Scott 279)

Puerto Rico Scott 216, 2¢, plate number 885 (on U.S. Scott 279B)

One pane each of the 1¢, 2¢, 5¢, 8¢ and 10¢ issues was overprinted with the then-current "Puerto Rico" overprint for the Paris exhibition. Most stamps also received a "Specimen" overprint or backstamp. No plate number items are known.

Postage Due issues

Puerto Rico Scott J1, 1¢, overprint at 36º angle, plate number 267 (on U.S. Scott J38)

Puerto Rico Scott J1a, 1¢, overprint at 25º angle, plate number 246 (on U.S. Scott J38)

Puerto Rico Scott J2, 2¢, overprint at 36º angle, plate number 247 (on U.S. Scott J39)

Puerto Rico Scott J2a, 2¢, overprint at 25º angle, plate number 268 (on U.S. Scott J39)

Puerto Rico Scott J3a, J3, J3, 10¢, plate strip of 3 showing both overprint varieties, J3 with plate number 72 (on U.S. Scott J42)

Puerto Rico Scott J3, J3a, J3a, 10¢, plate strip of 3 showing both overprint varieties, J3a with plate number 72 (on U.S. Scott J42)

One pane each of the 1¢, 2¢ and 10¢ postage dues was overprinted with the then-current "Puerto Rico" overprint for the Paris exhibition. Most stamps also received a "Specimen" overprint or backstamp. Although top imprint singles of the 2¢ have been certified, no plate number items are known for any denomination.

Special Printings

Special printings for the 1900 Paris Exhibition and 1901 Pan-American Exhibition

Puerto Rico Scott 215SP, 1¢, plate number 975 (on U.S. Scott 279)

Image courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Puerto Rico Scott 216SP, 2¢ Type IV, plate number 878 (on U.S. Scott 279B)

Image courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Puerto Rico Scott 212SP, 5¢, plate number 948 (on U.S. Scott 281)

Image courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries. This is the only recorded plate number example.

Puerto Rico Scott 213SP, 8¢, plate number 929 (on U.S. Scott 272)

Image courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries. This is the only recorded plate number example.

Puerto Rico Scott 214SP, 10¢ Type I, plate number 932 (on U.S. Scott 282C)

Image courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries. This is the only recorded plate number example.

Puerto Rico Scott J1SP, 1¢ postage due, plate number 267 (on U.S. Scott J38)

Image courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Puerto Rico Scott J2SP, 2¢ postage due, plate number 268 (on U.S. Scott J39)

Image courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Puerto Rico Scott J3SP, 10¢ postage due, plate number 256 (on U.S. Scott J41)

Image courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Revenue issues

Puerto Rico Scott R1S, 1¢, Specimen overprint, plate number 11005

Image courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Puerto Rico Scott R1S var, 1¢, inverted Specimen overprint, plate number 11005

Image courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Puerto Rico Scott R3, 25¢, plate number 9836

Image courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Puerto Rico Scott R4, 50¢, plate number 9543

Image courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Puerto Rico Scott R4S var, 50¢, inverted Specimen overprint, plate number 9543

Image courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Puerto Rico Scott R5, $1, plate number 11371

Image courtesy of Wallace Cleland

Puerto Rico Scott R9, $50, plate number 8033

Image courtesy of Wallace Cleland

Fiscal Tax and other Revenue issues

Puerto Rico has issued dozens of fiscal tax, distilled spirits, cigarette tax and other revenue issues. Many were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Please report any plate number examples.

Rectified Spirits issues Scott RE18 (1¢), RE20 (3¢), RE30 (72¢) and RE31 (80¢) are overprints of U.S. Wine stamps. No plate numbers are known.

Rectified Spirits issues portraying former Secretary of the Treasury George S. Boutwell -- Scott RE33 (1/2¢), RE34 (1¢), RE35 (2¢), RE36 (3¢), RE37 (4¢), RE38 (5¢), RE39 (6¢), RE40 (8¢), RE41 (10¢), RE41A (30¢), RE43 (40¢), RE44 (50¢), RE45 (58¢), RE46 (60¢), RE47 (62¢), RE48 (72¢), RE49 (77-1/2¢), RE50 (80¢) and RE51 ($1) -- were issued in panes of 50 without plate numbers. We have not seen examples of RE42 (36¢), but the format and lack of plate numbers is presumed to be the same. As a U.S. Senator and private attorney, Boutwell had represented the Kindom of Hawaii, Haïti and Chile and had opposed the annexation of Hawaii and the Philippines. He was an interesting choice for revenue stamps of Puerto Rico.

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This page last updated December 4, 2020.