#516 - 1917 30¢ No watermark, perf. 11
See below for details
Basic Info
30¢ Pale reddish orange, pale orange red, orange red, dark orange red
Subject: Benjamin Franklin
Printing Method: Flat Plate
Perforations: 11
Watermark: no watermark
Scott #: 516
Quantity Issued: 164,803,000
Issued: May 12th, 1917
#516 Value
Used
40¢
No postmark with gum (MH)
$12.50 - $32.50
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$20 - $60
#516a
#516a
Perf 10 at top or bottom
#516a Value
Used
$6,250
No postmark with gum (MH)
No sales recorded
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$18,500 - $32,500
A full pane
A full pane of 100 of #516, there were four panes to a sheet of 400
A common stamp
This variety was current for almost six years and is quite common. The use of the Parcel Post service increased tremendously after the close of World War I and the higher values were used in larger quantities than ever before. This caused numerous printings and this stamp is found in a wide range of shades.
Earliest documented use
The earliest documented use of #516 is January 12th, 1918
Plate Numbers
#516 was issued with the following plate #'s
Number only
6899
6911-14, 17 , 21, 24, 27-28
Precancels
This stamp was commonly precancelled, an example is shown above.
The Design Inspiration
The source for the design was this bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon
1917-19 Definitive Issues, 30¢ -$5
