United states year 1861 12c – George Washington / Used stamp
The 12¢ black George Washington stamp issued in 1861 is a significant piece of American Civil War history. This stamp was part of a new series released after the U.S. Post Office demonetized all previous stamps to prevent the Confederate States from profiting by selling old postal stocks.
Quick Identification (Scott #69)
The 1861 12¢ stamp is most commonly identified as Scott #69.
- Color: Black
- Design: A profile portrait of George Washington (modeled after a bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon) facing left, surrounded by an oval frame with “U.S. POSTAGE” at the top and “TWELVE CENTS” at the bottom.
- Perforation: Perf 12 (12 holes per 2 centimeters).
- Printing: National Bank Note Company.
Estimated Value
The value of this stamp depends heavily on its condition (centering, gum, and flaws) and whether it has a grill (a pattern of tiny indentations pressed into the paper to prevent reuse).
| Condition | Estimated Value (Scott #69) | Notes |
| Used | $25 – $120 | Higher values for clean, “fancy” cancellations or perfect centering. |
| Unused (No Gum) | $550 – $900 | Often referred to as “Original Gum” vs “Regummed.” |
| Mint (Never Hinged) | $1,500 – $3,500+ | Extremely rare in high grades (VF/XF). |
Warning: There is a rarer version of this stamp with a “Z” Grill (Scott #90) which is worth thousands of dollars. However, the standard #69 does not have a grill.
Historical Significance
- The Demonetization of 1861: At the start of the Civil War, the U.S. government worried that Southern postmasters would use existing stamp inventories to fund the Confederacy. To stop this, they declared all stamps issued before 1861 “invalid” and issued this new series.
- Usage: In 1861, the 12¢ rate was primarily used to pay for first-class letters sent to Great Britain or for heavier domestic mail.
How to check yours:
- Look for a Grill: Turn the stamp over and look for a rectangular pattern of tiny “dots” or indentations. If it has one, it could be a much more valuable variety (Scott #90 or #98).
- Examine the Corners: This stamp has distinct “scrolled” ornaments in the four corners.
- Check the Color: While it is “Black,” some copies may appear slightly “Grey-Black” due to fading or paper age.
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