3¢ dull violet, violet
TYPE I
Subject: George Washington
Printing Method:: Rotary press
Perforations: 10 horizontally
Watermark:: no watermark
Scott #: 489
Quantity Issued: 668,174,500
Issued: October l0th, 1917
Used
$2 - $4
No postmark with gum (MH)
$1.50 - $2.50
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$6 - $12
A solid line between two stamps, seen along the perforations in the middle, was the joint where two plates meet, the ink fills in the gap. They would be placed between each pane of 15 stamps. They can triple the value of the pair.
Prior to this stamp coils had been issued in all manner of perforations. If the perforation was too large the stamps tore whilst separating from each other. Too small and the coils of stamps broke apart before they could be sold. The 10 perforation proved to be the ideal balance for coil stamps, and from this point on all coil stamps were issued with this perforation.
This is the only endwise coil of the three cent stamp and it was not issued until a short time before the increased postal rates went into effect and some time after the sidewise coil. It was in little demand and did not have many printings, master die Type I being used for the entire output.