#71 1861 30¢

Basic Information

Color: Orange
Subject: Benjamin Franklin
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: The National Bank Note Company
Perforations: 12
Watermark: none
Scott #: 71
Plate: 7
Quantity issued: 3,300,000
Issued: August 20th, 1861

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $750
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $250-$350
A used stamp: $15-$25

Usage

#71 on a first day cover to Hawaii, dated 20th August 1861

#71 was primarily used for high-value postage, particularly for international mail, heavy letter packets, and registered mail. Its main purposes included:

Heavy domestic mail: A rare usage was for domestic mail. Usually used in combination with other denominations to pay for heavy domestic mail.
Mail to France and Germany: It paid the double rate (the 1oz rate) for mail to Germany and France
Foreign mail: The 30¢ stamp was also the single rate for some less common destination countries such as Malta, Greece, Turkey etc. It was also used in combination with other stamps to pay for other countries (usually the more distant) and for heavier packages going abroad.

Encased Stamps

Currency Substitute
Stamps were encased in brass and mica holders during the US Civil War (1862) to serve as durable, small-denomination emergency currency (commonly 1¢, 5¢, or 10¢). This innovation by John Gault addressed a severe, wartime coin shortage caused by citizens hoarding gold and silver, while allowing businesses to make change and advertise their services.

The Inspiration for the Design

The design of the 1861 US 30¢ stamp was inspired by a sculpture of Benjamin Franklin, which is currently located in the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia.

The portrait was modeled after a bust (sculpture) of Franklin, not a painting, contrasting with many other 1861 issues that were modeled after paintings.