#103 1875 2¢ Re-Issue

Basic Information

Color: Black
Subject: Andrew Jackson
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: The National Bank Note Company
Perforations: 12
Watermark: none
Plate: 57
Scott #: 104
Quantity issued: 10,000 (979 sold)
Issued and earliest date of use: 1875

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $22,000-$28,000
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $2,000-$3,250
A used stamp: $1,700-$2,300

Identification

#103 is easily identified by the spot on the cheek

The Inspiration for the Design

John Wood Dodge painting of Andrew Jackson

The Portrait
It is believed that the engraved head is after a miniature painting of Jackson, at age 78, done by John Wood Dodge (1807-1893). Jackson is said to have sat for the painting in 1842, at which time he was living in retirement at the Hermitage, his home near Nash­ville

The Political Motivation
The choice of Andrew Jackson was highly symbolic during the Civil War. Jackson was a transformative figure in the Democratic Party who was also a staunch Unionist, and placing his likeness on a stamp was intended to send a strong pro-Union message to the Confederate States of America.

About the Reprints

A poster for the 1876 International Exhibition
Click image to enlarge

The 1875 Reprints

In 1876 the United States celebrated 100 years of nationhood. A huge International Exhibition in Philadelphia, parades and events around the country were held as part of the celebrations. For it's part the Post Office re-issued all the stamps that had been issued up to 1875. They did not sell well and most of the production had to be destroyed. With the exception of the 1847 stamps they were valid for postage so used examples can be found.

These have been called the “special printings" of 1875. All the original plates were used bar US #1 and #2. The 1847 plates had to be reproduced as the originals were lost to history.

All the printings were on harder whiter paper than the originals and most had a shade difference from the originals.