Scotts #117 US stamps

#117 - 1869 12¢

12¢
Green, deep green, bluish green, yellowish green
G GRILL

Subject: The SS Adriatic
Number issued: 3,012,950
Perforations: P12
Printer: National Bank Note Co.
Scott #: 117
Earliest known use: April 1st, 1869

Value

Used
$25 - $55
No postmark with gum (MH)
$300 - $900
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$35,000

The G Grill

The 1869 pictorial stamps were grilled on the reverse with the G grill. An illustration of this grill is shown above

Earliest known date of use

The earliest known date of use, April 1st, 1869

Stamp usage

The stamp paid the paid the double-weight rate for letters going to Great Britain

Plate #'s

#117 was issued with the following plate #'s

Imprint and plate number
17-18

The design inspiration

The vignette used the existing National Bank Note engraving of the SS Adriatic which was derived from the picture directly above. In 1856 the SS Adriatic was the fastest wooden paddle liner at the time.

Fake Perforations

Be careful about the paper. If the stamp is on India paper, versus white wove paper, then you have a proof which has had gum, fake perforations and a grill added. This has been done to make the relatively inexpensive proof appear to be the expensive genuine #117