Scotts #268 US stamps

#268 - 1895 Watermarked 3¢

3¢
Dark violet, purple, bright purple, bright purple, dark purple

Printing Method: Engraved
Subject: Andrew Jackson
Number issued: 203,057,170
Perforations: P12
Watermark: Double Line USPS
Scott #: 268
Issued: October 31st, 1895

Value

Used
40¢ - $1.50
No postmark with gum (MH)
$10 - $17.50
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$32.50 - $45

Plate #'s

#268 was issued with the following plate #'s

200 subject plates
91, 95, 103, 107, 447-450, 1213-1216

Single Use

There was no 3¢ rate at the time, this stamp was almost used in combination with another stamp. The usual combination found on cover would be a 3¢ stamp and 2¢ stamp to pay the overseas rate. Here is a scarce single use of the 3¢ on cover which was an overpayment on a domestic advertising cover.

Triangles in the corner

As this was the Bureau of Printing and Engraving contract a small triangle was cut into the design at top left and top right in order to distinguish this printing from the earlier 1890 series