15¢
Black, gray black
E GRILL
Printing Method: Engraved
Printer: The National Bank Note Company
Subject: Abraham Lincoln
Number issued: 500,000
Perforations: 12
Plate number: 41
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Scott #: 91
Grilled: First week of January, 1868
Issued: Third week of February, 1868
Used
$350 - $600
No postmark with gum (MH)
$1,500 - $5,500
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
No sales recorded
#91 was printed with the following plate #
Engravers imprint and number
41
The largest known multiple is a block of four, only four known examples survive
Over 95% of grills are either E or F grills. The A, B, C, and D grills had proved to be unsatisfactory, mostly due to their presence on the stamp making the stamp difficult to separate. The Z grill did not have that problem but for whatever reason it was printed in very limited quantities. The E grill is often confused with the Z grill as the size of the grill is similar and they are on the same values. Close examination of the E grill will reveal the grills has a vertical orientation as shown above. Whilst the Z grill has a horizontal orientation. Both the E and Z grills have their grill points facing down (see types of grills).
This stamp is often found on very thin paper, which made a more defined grill than ordinary stamp paper.