#68 - 1861 Type II 10¢
See below for details
Basic Info
10¢
Yellow green
TYPE II
Printing Method: Engraved
Printer: National Bank Note Co.
Subject: George Washington
Plate #'s: 15, 26
Quantity Issued: 27,000,000
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 68
Earliest date of use: August 20th, 1861
#68 Value
Used
$20 - $45
No postmark with gum (MH)
$175 - $300
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$6,000 - $17,000
#68a
#68a
Dark Green
(Showing Double Transfer variety)
#68a Value
Used
$20 - $45
No postmark with gum (MH)
$400 - $850
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$9,000
#68b
#68b
Imperforate horizontally
Used value $1,500 (2020)
Stamp usage
The most common use was to pay the single-weight, cross-border rate to Canada or the transcontinental California rate. An example of the latter is shown above.
Identifying #68
Type I (#62B) - The outer oval frame line above “U.S. POSTAGE” is NOT present. The background around the stars is filled in, and the shadows around the stars are less prominent.
Type II (#68) - There is an additional bit of scrollwork above the center the edge of the frame design.
Double Transfer
Double transfer in TAG of POSTAGE
Fakes
A proof on card (#68-P4) with perforations added to resemble #68. The difference is that #68 was printed on stamp paper, not card.
Earliest Known Use
The earliest known date of use is January 13th, 1862
Inspiration for the Design
George Washington
Gilbert Stuart, 1803
Source image for the design of the vignette
Essays and Proofs
68-E1
Vignette progressive die proof on ivory paper
68-E2
Progressive die proof on India
68-E2
Progressive die proof on India
68-E var
Vignette essay with head facing right
68-P1S
Specimen Large die proof on India
68-P1
Large die proof on India
The 1861 5¢ to 12¢
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