United States 2 Cents George Washington Third Issue Revenue Stamp

United States · 1874 · 2 cents

This is a 2 cents revenue stamp from the United States, issued in 1874 as part of the 'Third Issue'. It depicts George Washington and was designed to be bicolored to prevent washing and re-use.

Revenue stamps were first introduced in the 1860s to help fund the Union during the American Civil War. The 'Third Issue' addressed concerns about re-use by making the stamps bicolored, a change from the single-color 'First Issue' stamps.