George Washington 2c Red Brown, American Bank Note Company Issue

United States of America · 1883 · 2c

This definitive stamp features a left-facing portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States. The design is based on the famous bust by French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon. The denomination 'TWO CENTS' is inscribed in a ribbon at the bottom, and the stamp is printed in a distinctive red-brown color.

Issued as part of the 1883-1887 American Bank Note Company series, this stamp was commonly used for the standard domestic letter rate. It replaced the previous 3c Washington design after the first-class postage rate was reduced from 3 cents to 2 cents per half-ounce in 1883.