#418 - 1912 - Perf. 12 - Single line USPS wmk
See below for details
Basic Info
15¢ - Gray or dark gray
Printing Method: FLAT PLATE
Subject: Benjamin Franklin
Number issued: 6,197,000
Perforations: 12
Watermark: Single line USPS wmk
Scott #:418
Issued: February 12th, 1912
Value
Used
$2
No postmark with gum (MH)
$15 - $60
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$150 - $200
Usage
The Washington-Franklin fifteen cent stamp when first issued served mainly to pay for overweight letters to European and other foreign points and for packages mailed in this country. After six months the registry fee was raised to ten cents. This made a fifteen cent stamp useful to cover registration fee plus a single letter rate on foreign bound letters and the demand increased very rapidly.
Earliest Known Use
The earliest known use of #418, April 26th, 1912
A change of color
With the introduction of the new registry stamp (#F1) the 15¢ value was changed from blue to grey, to avoid confusion with the registry stamp.
The Watermark
The watermark consists of single lined USPS letters. A stamp may show only part of a letter or letters
Plate Numbers
#418 was issued with the following plate #'s
Imprint, "A" and number
5747-55, 60, 66, 71, 75, 80
"A" and number
5850
Number only.
6809-19, 25, 33
Essays and Proofs
#418-E1
Die essay on India mounted on card
418-E1
#418-P3
Small die proof on India
418-P3
The 1912-14 Regular Issues Part II
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