Scotts #78 US stamps

#78 - 1863 Lilac 24¢

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24¢
Lilac, dark lilac

Printing Method: Engraved
Printer: National Bank Note Co.
Subject: George Washington
Quantity Issued: 9,620,000
Plate #: 6
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 78
Issued: February 20th, 1866

#78, #78a, #78b Value

Used
$35 - $80
No postmark with gum (MH)
$300 - $1,400
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$22,000 (2009)

Note: The rare shade of #78c has it's value below

78a

#78a
Grayish Lilac

78b

#78b
Gray

78c

#78c
Blackish Lilac

#78c Value

Used
$2,000 - $7,000
No postmark with gum (MH)
$135,000 (2009)
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
No sales recorded

Plate #'s

#78, 78a, 78b, 76c was issued with the following plate #

Imprint and plate #
6

Stamp usage

Up until January 1st, 1868 the rate to Great Britain was 24¢, the perfect use for this stamp. The rate to Great Britain was then lowered to 12¢ thus making the 24¢ stamp only useful as a make up stamp for expensive postage.

Notable Sales

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#78 used alongside 1c Ultramarine (#145) on 1872 3c Green entire (U82) addressed to Ahmednuggur, India, endorsed "Via Brindisi", postmarked "Jericho Centre Vt. Aug 15" and with red "New York 24 Aug 17" credit datestamp, London transit also ties 1c, Sea Post Office and Ahmednuggur backstamps, paying the 28c rate by British

Sold January 2023 for $1,000

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Multiples

A rare multiple of the unused #78

The largest unused multiple of #78b

Inspiration for the Design

The vignette was based on Gilbert Stewarts portrait of George Washington

Specimens

Specimen overprints

Counterfeits

Here is an example of a proof on card with perforations and gum added to give the appearance of a genuine #78. #78 was issued on stamp paper, not card.

Identification

The 24¢ Washington is not the easiest stamp to identify. Time and fading have altered the appearance of many, with the violet hue is particularly prone to fading. The above guide may be of some help in identifying which shade you have. Note that #109 is extremely rare, it is printed on harder white paper and its printing is crisper.