This was the first fractional postage stamp issued by the Post Office Department. It was made necessary by ttre Postal Service Act approved February 28,1925. Which went into effect April 15,1925. This act which increased third class rate from one cent per ounce or fraction thereof to one and a half cents, was largely for circulars'and therefore needed. in large quantities, mainly in single units.

As many of the values were soon to be issued on the rotary press it seems strange that this value was made on flat plates, especially since the rotary press stamps were issued the same day. The Bureau, however, had not been given definite instructions at this time to use the rotary on values other than the one and two cent stamps.

The source for the design was this photograph of Warren Harding.

A pane of 100 stamps
There were 4 panes to a sheet
Value: $400

The Post Office issued this explanation for the change in design from the old Washington Franklins, to this series