Scotts #530 US stamps

Basic Info

3¢ Purple
TYPE IV (see below)

Subject: George Washington
Printing Method: Offset
Perforations: 11
Watermark: unwatermarked
Scott #: 530
Issued: June, 1918

Value

Used
40¢ - 80¢
No postmark with gum (MH)
$1
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$2.50 - $5.50

Plate Numbers

#530 was issued with the following plate #'s

Number only

8721-28, 30-52, 54-66, 69-70, 72-99
8800-05, 08-21, 24-25, 29-42, 44-46, 48, 52-63
8955-56, 58-59, 61-63, 65-83, 85-92, 95-99
9000-21, 23-24, 26-30, 33-39, 42, 44-48, 50-52, 55-59, 61-66, 69, 71-75, 77-94
9251-56, 63, 65, 68, 70, 74-75, 78-81, 86-89, 92-98
9300-05, 09-14, 23-27, 30-44, 46-63, 65-69, 71-86, 88-96, 98
9405-08, 82-85, 90-95
9500-07, 12-14, 29-38, 43-50, 53-54, 59, 61-62, 66, 72-83, 85-99
9600-09, 11-39, 46-60, 66-71, 88-91, 95-97
9704-09, 26-33, 84-86, 99
9800-01, 13-16, 32, 45-58, 63-68, 82-89, 98-99
9900-01, 03-05, 10-13, 22-27, 30, 33
Shown above one of the scarcer plates: 9671
(photo courtesy Stuart Katz)
plate 8800 is known to be reversed

An instance where the plate number was adjusted by hand to show the correct plate number. A rare example.

Submitted by Steve Olsen

#530a

Double Impression
#530a
Value (MH) $30-$50

#530b

Printed on both sides
#530b
Value $350

A change to Offset

The poor quality of the ink that could be obtained at the time wore out the plates quickly. By switching to offset printing the plates lasted longer. The use of offset press would stay in place until the quality of available ink improved, which was expected to happen once world trade had gone back to normality after the disruption of WWI.