Scotts #682

#682 2¢ Massachusetts Bay Colony Issue 1930

3¢ - Rose Carmine, Bright Carmine

Printing Method: Flat Plate
Subject: Massachusetts Bay Colony seal
Number issued: 74,000,774
Perforations: 11
Scott #: 682
Issued: April 8th, 1930

Value

Used
25¢
No postmark with gum (MH)
25¢ - 40¢
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
40¢ - $1

Plate #'s

#682 was issued with the following plate #'s

Number only
20053-60

Hand Painted Covers

Top Cover: A hand painted cover by Dorothy Knapp, postmarked on the first day of issue. These covers typically sell for $1,000

Bottom Cover: A Ralph Dyer cache from a hand painted image, postmarked on the first day of issue. These covers typically sell for $250 to $350

The Story Behind the Stamp

The stamp was issued to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Four designs were proposed; the Massachusetts Charter, the colony seal, John Winthrop and the 'Arabella' (shown above). The seal was chosen, perhaps wrongly so as it made for a crowded design on the stamp. A fact that was critiqued at the time.