50¢ - Violet or bright violet

Printing Method: FLAT PLATE
Subject: Benjamin Franklin
Number issued: 2,190,000
Perforations: 12
Watermark: SINGLE line USPS wmk
Scott #:421
Issued: April 29, 1914

Used
$2 - $4
No postmark with gum (MH)
$150 - $300
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$325 - $1,400

This denomination was issued primarily for use on parcel post packages. When the 1902 series was first issued. requests were received from business men for some values between the 15 and 50cent stamps. This need was fulfilled with this stamp. It was heavily used as the 50¢ and the $1 values were used in multiples on heavy parcels. Used it is common, unused copies are less common as the stamp dealers at the time kept limited stocks due to the cost of investing in them.

A pre-cancel of #421, a fairly common pre-cancel