#226 1890 10¢ Small Bank Note

Basic Information

Color: Green
Subject: Daniel Webster
Paper: Soft porous paper
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: American Bank Note Co.
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 226
Quantity issued: 70,591,710
Issued: February 22nd, 1890

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $120-$140
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $9-$26
A used stamp: $1.50-$3

About the small bank note stamps

Sherman was originally slated for the 10¢ value, an essay with a cut out photo of him is seen here. #225E4

“Small Bank Note" stamps refers to the last, and only, definitive series printed solely by the America Bank Note Company in 1894, hence the name bank note series. The printing of this series was taken over by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in 1895. The Bureau added a triangle to the corner of the stamps to differentiate the 1895 from the 1894 series.

They are called "Small" to distinguish them from the "Large Bank Notes" issued from 1870 to 1893, as the 1894 stamps were reduced in size to cut production costs.

Usage

#226 on a cover to Morocco

Until March 21st 1893 it paid the 10¢ registration fee. After this date the registration fee was dropped to 8¢, thereafter its common use was to pay the combined two-cent first-class rate and the eight-cent registered mail fee, a total of ten cents

Plates

#226 was issued with the following plate #'s

E 26-30

The Inspiration for the Design

Daniel Webster source photo

There was a decision made to feature historical figures in addition to the busts of past presidents. This led to the addition of Daniel Webster. Daniel Webster was an advocate of a strong Federal government and seeked to limit States rights. Besides being a constitutional lawyer, he was also Secretary of State.