Scotts #476A US stamps

#476A - 1916 - Perf. 10 - Unwatermarked

See below for details

Basic Info

30¢ Orange red
Printing Method: FLATE PLATE
Subject: Benjamin Franklin
Number issued: 200
Perforations: 10
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Scott #: 476A
Issued: ?, 1916

Value

Used
No sales recorded
No postmark with gum (MH)
$500 - $800
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$1500 - $1750

What the 30¢ was used for?

Stamps of the 30¢ Franklin design were first issued in April 1914, primarily to use on parcels after dedicated parcel post stamps had been phased out.

When the 1902 series was first issued requests were received from business men for some values between the 15 and 50 cent stamps. This request was at that time rejected by the Department. The increased use of mail service for sending packages had increased very rapidly with the introduction of the Parcel Post system and it was found necessary to add additional values to the ordinary. stamps when the discontinuance of special stamps for this service was decided upon.

Error or not?

It should be noted that the PSE, in Spring 2007 has discovered a watermark on the sheet that produced these stamps, this has affected the value of the stamps. The value of 476A has suffered, consistently year on year, as a result of this event.