1870 US Beer Revenue Stamp, 50c

United States · 1870 · 50¢

The stamp features a circular design with 'U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE' and 'BEER 50 CENTS SERIES OF 1870'. It includes wavy security lines in fugitive ink extending horizontally across the center, and this example is printed in brick red.

This stamp was issued in 1870 by the U.S. Internal Revenue to collect taxes on beer, reflecting the government's need for revenue after the Civil War and its regulation of excisable goods.