50¢ - Violet
Printing Method: FLAT PLATE
Subject: Benjamin Franklin
Number issued: 660,656
Perforations: 12
Watermark: DOUBLE line USPS wmk
Scott #:422
Issued: February 12th, 1912
Used
$5 - $7
No postmark with gum (MH)
$100 - $200
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$750 - $3,000
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.
Earliest known use of #422, February 12th, 1913
The watermark consists of DOUBLE lined USPS letters. A stamp may show only part of a letter or letters
#422 was issued with the following plate #
Imprint, "A" and number
5749