United States Postage Due Stamp, 1879

Name: United States Postage Due Stamp, 1879
Brand: United States

United States · 1879 · 1¢

This is the first postage due stamp issued by the United States. The design is purely typographic, featuring a large numeral '1' in the center, surrounded by an ornate, engine-turned frame. The words 'POSTAGE DUE' and 'ONE CENT' are prominently displayed, printed in a reddish-brown ink.

Issued in 1879, these stamps were used by post offices to indicate the amount of postage due on mail that was insufficiently prepaid by the sender. The recipient was required to pay the amount shown before the mail could be delivered.

Printing Method

Engraved

Themes

postage-due typography

Catalog Numbers

scottJ1

Image: · License:

View on Wikimedia Commons

Estimated Values by Condition

Superb(S)

Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults

$150

Extremely Fine(XF)

Well centered, fresh colors

$100

Very Fine(VF)

Nicely centered, minor flaws

$60

Fine(F)

Average centering, acceptable

$30

Good(G)

Off-center or visible wear

$15

Prices are approximate market estimates for educational purposes. Actual values depend on specific factors including cancel type, margins, and provenance.