#85 1868 3¢ D grill

Basic Information

Color: Rose
Subject: George Washington
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: The National Bank Note Company
Perforations: 12
Watermark: none
Type of Grill: D
Scott #: 85
Quantity issued: 500,000
Issued: February 2nd, 1868

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: -
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $550-$1,100
A used stamp: $200-$700

D Grill Detail

This is the fifth of the issued grills, after only one day of grilling 3,000 sheets with the D grill it was replaced with the E grill. This was the first issue to be produced with the grills pointing down. The grill was not effective and was not used again

Points: 15 x 17 to 18 points.
Size: 12 x 14mm

Usage

#85 on cover

#85 was primarily used to pay the standard 3-cent domestic letter rate for mail weighing up to 1/2 ounce.

Multiples for Higher Rates: These stamps were often used in multiples to pay for heavier letters or for international mail destinations requiring higher postage. A typical use would be as part of the 15¢ rate to Germany and France

The Inspiration for the Design

The design of US stamp #25 was inspired by a bust of George Washington created by the French neoclassical sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon

Portrait Source
Houdon created the original bust from a plaster life mask and wet clay models during a 1785 visit to Mount Vernon at the invitation of Benjamin Franklin. It is considered one of the most accurate representations of Washington.
Artistic Elements
The stamp depicts Washington in profile facing left, with his hair tied back and his shoulders draped in a Roman toga.