#72 1861 90¢

Basic Information

Color: Blue
Subject: George Washington
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: The National Bank Note Company
Perforations: 12
Watermark: none
Scott #: 72
Plate: 18
Quantity issued: 389,000
Issued: November 27th, 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

#72 on a cover to France

#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 Asia: It paid the double rate (the 1oz rate) for mail to Asia, most commonly China.
High value mail: Used for registered mail or packages that required high postage fees.

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

George Washington

George Trumbull, 1792

Detail from painting

The inspiration for the design of the 1860 90c US stamp was a portrait of George Washington painted by John Trumbull in 1792.

The general is shown on the evening before the pivotal Battle of Trenton in late 1776. He looks upward, conceiving his strategy against the vastly superior approaching enemy. The significance of the moment is expressed in the drama of the threatening sky and by the excitable horse, held in check by a soldier groom

Notable stamps

Pale blue
(#72a)
Dark Blue
(#72b)