United States year 1890 stamps 5 Cent Grant MNH

United States year 1890 stamps 5 Cent Grant MNH

The 5 Cent Grant stamp issued by the United States in 1890 has the following key details:

Design:

• Engraved portrait of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States
• Grant is depicted in military uniform as he appeared during the Civil War
• Portraits are arranged in two different directions, one facing left and one facing right

Colors:

• The stamp was printed in two different colors – chocolate brown and dull blue
• The chocolate brown shade is more common
• The dull blue shade is much scarcer

Printing:

• Printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington D.C.
• Used dual flat plate printing from engraved plates

Perforation:

• The stamps have perforations gauging 12 (perforating 12 holes per 2 cm)

Usage:

• Primarily used for paying the 5 cent rate for domestic letters weighing over 1 ounce
• Also saw usage on mail to Canada and international destinations

The 5 Cent Grant stamps were current for regular postage until new definitive series started being issued in 1894. While not considered a great rarity, the dull blue shade is much harder to find than the chocolate brown version in nice condition. Well-centered, uncancelled examples with original gum are particularly valuable.

These Grant stamps kicked off the long-running series of US commemoratives honoring presidents that would continue for decades. Overall they are very popular with collectors specializing in classic US stamps.