Scotts #514 US stamps

#514 - 1917 15¢ No watermark, perf. 11

15¢ Gray, dark gray

Subject: Benjamin Franklin
Printing Method: Flat Plate
Perforations: 11
Watermark: no watermark
Scott #: 514
Quantity Issued: 275,279,000
Issued: May 21, 1917

#514 Value

Used
25¢ - 40¢
No postmark with gum (MH)
$8- $25
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$15 - $40

Plate Numbers

#514 was issued with the following plate #'s

Number only
6809-19, 25, 33
7926-29
8878-79, 90-91
10179-82
10500-03
10617-20
12589-92
13280-83
13860-63

#514a

#514a
Perf 10 at top or bottom

#514a Value

Used
$5,000 - $10,000
No postmark with gum (MH)
No sales recorded
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
No sales recorded

Useage

This was current for more than five years and issued in larger quantities than all other varieties of the fifteen cent combined.

While the three cent rate on letter postage was effective this stamp waslargely used on letters over four ounces. The denomination being intended mainly for foreign bound registered letters was used in greater numbers after the signing of the Armistice and the reopening of the seas to international commerce

Earliest documented use

The earliest documented use of #514 is November 15th, 1917 (shown above)

Precancels

This stamp was commonly precancelled, an example is shown above. In this case the precancel was applied inverted, this does not have any effect on the value.