Scotts #265 US stamps

#265 - 1895 Watermarked Type I 2¢

2¢
Carmine, deep carmine
TYPE I

Printing Method: Engraved
Subject: George George Washington
Number issued: 300,000,000
Perforations: P12
Watermark: Double Line USPS
Scott #: 265
Issued: May 2nd, 1895

Value

Used
15¢ - 30¢
No postmark with gum (MH)
$5 - $20
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$20 - $65

A full Pane

A full pane of 100 of #265, there were four panes to a sheet of 400

First Day of Issue

A first day cover, May 2nd, 1895

Which Triangle?

This stamp is a type I triangle, thick horizontal lines across the triangle

Watermark

Unlike the 1894 2¢ Washingtons this stamp is watermarked. The double line USPS watermark on the stamp is shown above

Plate #'s

#265 was issued with the following plate #'s

400 subject plates
78-80, 82, 88, 96-97, 111-117, 124-125, 144

Interestingly a plate block of six is rare

The Detroit Postage Due

In 1895 the Detroit Post Office ran out of 2¢ postage due stamps and resorted to hand stamping both the 1895 2¢ stamp and the envelope with a straight line 'Due 2' indicating that two cents of postage was due