Scotts #470 US stamps

#470 - 1916 - Perf. 10 - Unwatermarked

8¢ Olive green or dark olive green

Printing Method: Flat Plate
Subject: Benjamin Franklin
Number issued: 21,375,000
Perforations: 10
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Scott #: 470
Issued: November 13th, 1916

Value

Used
$1 - $3
No postmark with gum (MH)
$14 - $35
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$30 - $50

Usage

The eight cent denomination was issued primarily to care for the payment of registration fees and also for letter postage in excess of three ounces.

Earliest Known Date of Use

The earliest known date of use, February 13th, 1917

Proofs

Vignette essay on india die sunk on card
414 E2

A change to Unwatermarked paper

During the World War I questions of economy were paramount and the Bureau finding that unwatermarked paper could be bought at considerable saving specified this for their contracts effective July 1, 1916. On August 22 this new paper was first used.

While these stamps were current, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing made the first experimental precanceled stamps. These were prepared for Augusta, Me., New Orleans, La., and Springfield, Mass.

Precancels

While these stamps were current, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing made the first experimental precanceled stamps. An example of precancel is shown above. Almost all precancels have a solid line above and below the location name.

Plate Numbers

#470 was issued with the following plate #'s

Imprint, A and number
5724-26
6804

"A" and number
5846

Number only
7734-40, 42, 48
10785-88
12565-68
13382-85
13852-55