USA postage Stamp year 1861 – 10 cents MNG
🇺🇸 1861 U.S. 10¢ Washington Stamp (National Bank Note Company Issue)
- Issued: 1861 as part of the 1861–62 series after earlier U.S. stamps were demonetized during the Civil War.
- Design: Portrait of George Washington.
- Color: Generally yellow-green to green.
- Perforations: Perf. 12.
- Printer: National Bank Note Company.
- Usage: Paid the U.S. letter rate for longer distances and foreign mail (letters over 300 miles or to Canada/California).
- Catalogue Listings: In U.S. catalogues this issue is known commonly as Scott #68 (the main 1861 10¢ Washington) and also Scott #62B (an earlier trial/first design).
📌 Historical Background
During the Civil War the U.S. government replaced older stamps (from 1857 and earlier) because they feared Confederate postmasters could use them to raise funds. The 1861 series was designed with new artwork and distributed starting in mid-August 1861.
💰 Collector Value
The value of an 1861 10¢ Washington stamp can vary widely depending on condition, type, and whether it’s unused (mint) or used:
- Typical used examples in average condition can be collectible but modest in value.
- Mint or very fine used examples — especially the rarer first design (Scott #62B) — can range from several hundred to several thousand U.S. dollars at auction. Some high-grade examples have sold for around $1,000–$9,000+ depending on condition.
Tip: A stamp’s centering, gum condition (if unused), and cancellation quality are key factors impacting value among collectors.
🧾 Key Varieties
- Scott #68: Main 1861 issue, about 27.3 million printed in green/yellow-green.
- Scott #62B: Dark green “first design” variety with a much smaller printing; typically rarer and more valuable.
