Scotts #216 US stamps

#216 - 1888 Indigo 5¢

5¢
Indigo, deep blue

Printing Method: Engraved
Subject: James Garfield
Number issued: 85,000,000
Perforations: P12
Printer: American Bank Note Co.
Scott #: 216
Issued: February 18th, 1888

#216 Value

Used
$1 - $2
No postmark with gum (MH)
$20 - $60
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$300 - $700

Earliest documented use

The earliest known documented use of #216, March 15th, 1888

#216b

Imperforate
#216b

#216b Pair Value

Used
No sales recorded
No postmark with gum (MH)
$400 - $600
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
No sales recorded

Uylsses Grant?

President Grover Cleveland was president at the time of the stamps issue. He publicly proclaimed his intention to have the recently deceased General Ulysses Grant on the stamp. The Post Master General disagreed with the plan and Garfields head was retained.

A Change of Color

#205

#216

In 1888 the color of the 5¢ was changed from the brown of #205 to indigo.The original brown had been chosen by Mrs Garfield as she did not want the proposed mourning color of black used.