Postage Stamps of the United States First Issued in 1873
President: Ulysses S. Grant · Postmaster General: John A. J. CreswellDomestic Letter Rate: 3¢ per 1/2 oz. · Registry Fee: 15¢ · Foreign Rate: 5¢ Card Rate: A new rate of 1¢ for mailing cards was instituted on May 1, 1873 1c Franklin - 2c Jackson - 3c Washington - 6c Lincoln - 7c Stanton - 10c Jefferson - 12c Clay - 15c Webster - 24c Scott - 30c Hamilton - 90c Perry
Ordinary Postage Stamps First Issued in 1873 - The Continental Bank Notes
Continental Bank Note Company - Hard White Paper - Perf 12 - 200 Subject Plates - With Secret Marks
See also: Bank Note Worksheet
1¢ Franklin 2¢ Brown Jackson 3¢ Washington 6¢ Lincoln
7¢ Stanton 10¢ Jefferson 12¢ Clay 15¢ Webster
Scott 164 Proof - 24¢ Scott 30¢ Hamilton 90¢ Perry
The following postage stamp varieties were first issued by the U.S. in 1873:
Ordinary issue:
Continental Bank Note Co. - Hard White Paper - With Secret Marks
All but the 90¢ are known with grill and bring a premium if authenticated
Scott 156 - One Cent Ultramarine Franklin - EDU: Aug. 22, 1873 - about 448 million issued
Scott 157 - Two Cent Brown Jackson -EDU: July 12, 1873 - about 141 million issued
Scott 158 - Three Cent Green Washington -EDU: July 17, 1873 - about 2.7 billion issued
Scott 159 - Six Cent Dull Pink Lincoln - EDU: June 8, 1873 - about 38 million issued
Scott 160 - Seven Cent Orange Stanton -EDU: Sep. 10, 1873 - about 2.5 million issued
Scott 161 - Ten Cent Brown Jefferson - EDU: Aug. 2, 1873 - about 21 million issued
Scott 162 - Twelve Cent Dark Violet Clay - EDU: Jan. 3, 1874 - about 2.9 million issued
Scott 163 - Fifteen Cent Yellow Orange Webster - EDU: July 22, 1873 - about 3 million issued
Scott 164 - Twenty-Four Cent Purple Scott (only 1 verified copy known) Aug. 22, 1873 - number issued not known
Scott 165 - Thirty Cent Greenish to Grayish Black Hamilton- EDU: Oct. 14, 1874 - about 782,500 issued
Scott 166 - Ninety Cent Rose Carmine Oliver Perry - EDU: June 25, 1875 - about 197,000 issuedCommemoratives:
The First Commemorative stamps were not issued until 1893 Special Delivery:
The First Special Delivery stamps were not issued until 1885 Postage Dues:
The First Postage Due Stamps were not issued until 1879
