12¢
Black, gray black, intense black

Printing Method: Engraved
Printer: National Bank Note Co.
Subject: George Washington
Plate # 16
Quantity Issued: 7,314,000
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 69
Earliest date of use: August 30th, 1861

Used
$20 - $40
No postmark with gum (MH)
$90 - $350
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$6,000 - $17,000

#68sj
Control number printed in carmine
MH value = $200

A essay on India (#69-E6d) with perforations added to resemble #69. The difference is that #69 was printed on stamp paper, not India. The stamp was rebacked to hide the fact that it was India paper.

During most of this stamps life it paid the 24¢ rate to Great Britain. After January 1st, 1868 the rate was reduced to 12¢. The cover above is from 1862 and originated in Port Royal. Port Royal is a town I know very well, there is hardly anything of the old town left. Once an important port, it was largely destroyed in 1861 by Union forces.