Scott #153 US stamps

#153 - 1870 without grill 24¢

24¢
Purple or bright purple

Type of Paper: Hard white wove paper, thin to medium thick
Subject: General Winfield Scott
Number issued: 1,148,000
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 153
Printer: National Bank Note Company
Earliest Documented Use: November 18, 1870

Value

Used
$25 - $45
No postmark with gum (MH)
$250 - $550
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$3,000 - $3,500

Multiples

Multiples of the 24¢ stamp are uncommon, there being no 48¢ rate. The one above was probably applied to a parcel and is the largest used block known. There may still be a block of six mint stamps, which would make it the largest block of mint stamps.

The design inspiration

The vignette design was derived by William John Coffee's marble bust of General Winfield Scott

Notable Sales

The example with a plate number, this comes from the block shown in the plate number section of this page.

Sold April 2009 for $47,200 (MNH)

Explore Robert Siegel's Auction Galleries

#153 Characteristics

The grill of #142

There are only two 24¢ large banknotes. This one and the incredibly expensive and rare stamp with a grill on the reverse (shown above) #142

Plate #'s

#153 was issued with the following plate #

Imprint and plate number
21

Earliest Date of Use

The earliest known date of use of #153 is November 18th, 1870, as shown above

Washed out appearance

The purple ink used on #153 was very fugitive, that is, it was soluble in water. As most used stamps are soaked off paper most have a faded, or washed out appearance. The stamp on the left is typical of the faded appearance, the stamp on the right should get a premium in price due to its strong color.