#486 1918 1¢ P10 Coil

Basic Information

Color: Green
Subject: George Washington
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Printing method: Rotary press
Perforations: 10 horizontal
Scott #: 486
Quantity issued: 1,700,501,500
Issued: June 30th, 1918

Value for singles

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $1.25-$2
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: 75¢-$1.25
A used stamp: 75¢-$1

Value for pairs

An unused pair with perfect gum: $2-$5
An unused pair with gum and a hinge mark: $1.50-$4
A used pair: $10-$15

Usage

A strip of three #486, with a leader, on cover

In 1918, a 1¢ stamp was used mainly for third-class mail and circulars and was combined with other stamps to make non-standard rates, though standard postcard rates had temporarily risen to 2¢ because of World War I.

Common Uses of 1¢ Stamps in 1918:

Third-Class Mail: Paying the postage for unsealed circulars, lightweight merchandise, and printed advertising materials.
Wartime Rate Supplement: Used in combinations (such as pairing a 1¢ stamp with a 2¢ stamp) to reach the temporary 3¢ first-class letter rate introduced in late 1917 for World War I revenue.
Troop Mail: Issued in special booklet panes for American soldiers and troops before free franking privileges were granted later in 1918

Line Pairs

A line pair

Line pairs can be identified by a line along the middle perforations of a pair. The line is created by the pair stradding two panes of stamps. The line is the demarcation line seperating panes. Line pairs increase the value of the stamps, as a result sometimes they will be drawn in by the unscrupulous.

The Plates

#486 was issued with the following plate #'s

Number only
10081-82, 10408-11, 13928-29, 7433-34
7563-7564, 8079-80

Identifying the Watermark on #486

The unwatermarked backs of #486

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing stopped placing watermarks on postage stamps in 1916 to reduce production costs amid wartime economic constraints.

Wartime Costs: World War I created financial pressures and material shortages, making specially manufactured watermarked paper an expensive luxury
Cost vs. Benefit: The government decided that the money saved by switching to standard, unwatermarked paper far outweighed the minimal risk of counterfeiting.
Permanent Change: The Post Office Department issued its first unwatermarked stamp in over twenty years in September 1916, making the discontinuation permanent.

How to confirm there is no watermark

By placing the watermark face down on a dark surface or holding it up to bright light, you might be able to see a watermark. If you cannot see the watermark, and you want further confirmation, consider investing in watermark fluid and a watermark tray. Ronson's lighter fluid works just as well as watermark fluid. Both fluids evaporate quickly.

Pour a little fluid in the tray, and lay the stamp face down. In a few seconds, the stamp will absorb the fluid and reveal any watermark that may be present.

As you will see from the illustration, there is no evidence of a watermark on this stamp.

The Inspiration for the Design

George Washington bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon

The vignette was based on a bust of George Washington by french sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon.

Created in 1785 the bust is considered the most accurate likeness of the first U.S. president. Based on a life mask and clay model made at Mount Vernon, it captures Washington at age 53 with precise facial details, blending a Roman, toga-style aesthetic with realistic aging. It is considered one of the most accurate representations of Washington.