40 cents Battleship Documentary Revenue Stamp

United States · 1898 · 40 cents

The stamp features a detailed depiction of a battleship in the center, framed by 'U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE' at the top and '40 CENTS' at the bottom. It bears a handstamp cancellation dated June 10, 1901.

This revenue stamp was issued in 1898 to help fund the Spanish-American War, a conflict sparked by the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine. Revenue stamps were a common method for the U.S. government to raise funds during wartime.