United States stamp year 1873 10c Treasury Department

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United States 1873 10c Treasury Department Stamp #O18 Used

United States stamp year 1873 10c Treasury Department

The United States 10-cent stamp from 1873 labeled “Treasury Department” is an important item from the first series of U.S. Official Stamps.1

Here are the key details about this stamp:

FeatureDetail
Type of StampOfficial Stamp (Departmental Stamp)
Issuing DepartmentTreasury Department
Year of Issue1873 (Issued July 1, 1873)
Denomination10 cents (10¢)
Portrait/DesignThomas Jefferson (The stamp uses the same central portrait as the contemporary 10¢ regular issue Bank Note stamp.)
ColorBrown
PrinterContinental Bank Note Company
PerforationsPerforated 12
Scott Catalogue No.O77

Historical Context

  • Official Mail System: Before July 1, 1873, U.S. government mail was sent postage-free using the “franking” privilege.2 In 1873, this privilege was abolished, and a system of Official Stamps was introduced to track postage costs for each government department.3
  • Departmental Sets: Each of the nine executive departments (including Treasury, Interior, War, Navy, Post Office, etc.) was issued its own separate set of stamps, distinguished by the department name printed across the top and a unique color. The Treasury Department stamps were printed in shades of Brown.
  • Abolishment: The use of Official Stamps was short-lived, as the system was declared obsolete in 1884 and replaced by the “penalty” envelope system. This limited period of use makes the entire 1873 Official series a popular and distinct area of U.S. philately.

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