US Possessions of Cuba year 1899 1c Benjamin Franklin stamp Used
The stamp is one of two provisional issues for Cuba in 1899, following the Spanish-American War, when the island was under U.S. Military Administration.
There were two main types of 1 Centavo stamp issued by the U.S. Administration in 1899:
1. Provisional Overprint Issue (Scott #221)
- Type: This was an existing U.S. 1-cent stamp (featuring a portrait of Benjamin Franklin, yellow-green in color) that was overprinted for use in Cuba.
- Overprint: The overprint was in black and read
- Purpose: This was an emergency measure to provide postage until stamps specifically designed for Cuba could be printed.
2. Definitive Columbus Issue (Scott #227)
- Type: This was a new, engraved stamp series printed in the U.S. specifically for use in Cuba.
- Design: It featured a Statue of Christopher Columbus and was inscribed simply “CUBA” at the top and “1 CENTAVO” at the bottom.
- Purpose: This series (which also included other values) replaced the provisional overprints later in 1899.6
Given the common phrase “US Possessions of Cuba / Caribbean year 1899 1c,” you are most likely referring to the Provisional Overprint Issue (Scott #221), as it most clearly reflects the stamp’s origin as a U.S. issue overprinted for the occupied territory.
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