#97 1868 12¢ F grill

Basic Information

Color: Black
Subject: George Washington
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: The National Bank Note Company
Perforations: 12
Watermark: none
Plate: 16
Type of Grill: F
Scott #: 97
Quantity issued: 2,600,000
Issued: August 13th, 1868

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: -
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $1,000-$1,200
A used stamp: $40-$80

F Grill Detail

Over 95% of grills are either E or F grills. The A, B, C, and D grills had proved to be unsatisfactory, mostly due to their presence on the stamp making the stamp difficult to separate. The Z grill did not have that problem but for whatever reason it was printed in very limited quantities. The F grill was the last of the grills. Grilling was expensive and it was increasingly seen that there was no need for it. Grilling did have a benefit; it helped the National Banknote Company win the contract

Points: 11-12 x 15-17 points
Size: 9 x 13mm

Usage

#97 on a cover to Italy

Mail to England: As of January 1st, 1868 the rate to England was 12¢ per half-ounce. Consequently the most common use of the 12¢ stamp was to Great Britain.
Other mail: Besides mail to England it was used as a make up stamp for other foreign destinations or heavy domestic mail.

The Inspiration for the Design

The inspiration for the US Scott #13 10¢ stamp, issued in 1855, was based on a portrait of Geroge Washington by Gilbert Stuart.

The frame and lettering were engraved by Henry Earle. Earle is credited with engraving the lettering and frames for the 1851–1861 Issue of U.S. stamps. This includes well-known denominations like the 1c, 3c, and 10c stamps of that era, but not the 5¢ Jefferson

The 10-cent stamp is noted for being more faithful to the original Stuart painting than the 12-cent version, specifically in retaining more of the portrait's details.