Zoom the image with the mouse
#156//66
1873 Bank Notes, Hard Paper, Perf. 12, Set of 10 stamps
$531.15
$485.00
Save Up To 9%
Share:
Get 10 Continental Bank Note Stamps
With Secret Marks
This is a great opportunity to add 10 stamps from the Bank Note era to your collection.
What are Bank Notes? The Bank Notes were introduced in 1870 to replace the short-lived 1869 Pictorial issue. Although popular now, the 1869 Pictorials were unpopular and seen as frivolous at the time, leading to their quick replacement. The new stamps were printed by three different Bank Note Companies over the next three decades.
The first Bank Notes were designed and produced by the National Bank Note Company between 1870 and 1872. In 1873, new bids were submitted and a new contract was awarded to the Continental Bank Note Company. National was required to turn over their dies to Continental, but before they did, they placed small marks on each of them, “canceling” the dies. Also known as ”secret marks,” they were small, minor design changes that would help to distinguish the stamps printed by Continental from those printed by National.
With this special offer, you’ll get 10 of these Continental stamps with secret marks:
US #156: the pearl to the left of the numeral “I” has a small crescent in its bottom half.
US #157: scroll lines above “U.S.” at the top of the design are joined with a small diagonal line. However, the secret mark isn’t always visible and the stamps must be distinguished by color.
US #158: lower part of ribbon at left bottom of numeral “3” is heavily shaded.
US #159: the first four vertical lines in the lower part of the ribbon to the left of the “six” are darker.
US #160: small semi-circles cover the tips of the opening in the ornament at the bottom-right corner.
US #161: a small crescent was cut into the ball directly under the “E” in “POSTAGE.”
US #162: the balls in the numeral “2” are crescent, rather than round, making a much more ornate script.
US #163: the triangle in the upper-left corner has two lines that have been darkened to form a “V.” Often the mark is difficult to see and the stamps must be distinguished by color.
US #165: no secret mark, but the color – gray black – distinguishes it from the other 30¢ Bank Note stamps, which are black.
US #166: no secret mark, but the color – rose carmine – distinguishes it from the other 90¢ Bank Note stamps, which are carmine.
You’ll love having these classic stamps in your collection and getting to examine their fine details and secret marks for yourself. Send for yours now.
More About the Bank Notes
The American Bank Note Company acquired Continental in 1879 and assumed the contract Continental had held. This firm, however, printed the stamps on a soft paper, which has different qualities than the hard paper used by the previous companies. While some of the stamps printed during this period used the same plates with secret marks, some stamps were also re-engraved.
Beginning in 1890, the Bank Notes underwent another significant change. New stamps issued from then until 1893 were at a smaller size. Because of this, stamps from the earlier era (1870-1890) are referred to as “Large Bank Notes,” and stamps from 1890-94 are called “Small Bank Notes.” These smaller stamps were nearly square and their decreased size helped to cut costs.
The Bank Note era officially came to an end on June 9, 1894, after the Post Office reached an agreement with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to start producing new US stamps.
Get 10 Continental Bank Note Stamps
With Secret Marks
This is a great opportunity to add 10 stamps from the Bank Note era to your collection.
What are Bank Notes? The Bank Notes were introduced in 1870 to replace the short-lived 1869 Pictorial issue. Although popular now, the 1869 Pictorials were unpopular and seen as frivolous at the time, leading to their quick replacement. The new stamps were printed by three different Bank Note Companies over the next three decades.
The first Bank Notes were designed and produced by the National Bank Note Company between 1870 and 1872. In 1873, new bids were submitted and a new contract was awarded to the Continental Bank Note Company. National was required to turn over their dies to Continental, but before they did, they placed small marks on each of them, “canceling” the dies. Also known as ”secret marks,” they were small, minor design changes that would help to distinguish the stamps printed by Continental from those printed by National.
With this special offer, you’ll get 10 of these Continental stamps with secret marks:
US #156: the pearl to the left of the numeral “I” has a small crescent in its bottom half.
US #157: scroll lines above “U.S.” at the top of the design are joined with a small diagonal line. However, the secret mark isn’t always visible and the stamps must be distinguished by color.
US #158: lower part of ribbon at left bottom of numeral “3” is heavily shaded.
US #159: the first four vertical lines in the lower part of the ribbon to the left of the “six” are darker.
US #160: small semi-circles cover the tips of the opening in the ornament at the bottom-right corner.
US #161: a small crescent was cut into the ball directly under the “E” in “POSTAGE.”
US #162: the balls in the numeral “2” are crescent, rather than round, making a much more ornate script.
US #163: the triangle in the upper-left corner has two lines that have been darkened to form a “V.” Often the mark is difficult to see and the stamps must be distinguished by color.
US #165: no secret mark, but the color – gray black – distinguishes it from the other 30¢ Bank Note stamps, which are black.
US #166: no secret mark, but the color – rose carmine – distinguishes it from the other 90¢ Bank Note stamps, which are carmine.
You’ll love having these classic stamps in your collection and getting to examine their fine details and secret marks for yourself. Send for yours now.
More About the Bank Notes
The American Bank Note Company acquired Continental in 1879 and assumed the contract Continental had held. This firm, however, printed the stamps on a soft paper, which has different qualities than the hard paper used by the previous companies. While some of the stamps printed during this period used the same plates with secret marks, some stamps were also re-engraved.
Beginning in 1890, the Bank Notes underwent another significant change. New stamps issued from then until 1893 were at a smaller size. Because of this, stamps from the earlier era (1870-1890) are referred to as “Large Bank Notes,” and stamps from 1890-94 are called “Small Bank Notes.” These smaller stamps were nearly square and their decreased size helped to cut costs.
The Bank Note era officially came to an end on June 9, 1894, after the Post Office reached an agreement with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to start producing new US stamps.
Related Items
Save Up To 19%
Save Up To 11%
Most Orders Ship
within 1 Business Day
90 Day Return Policy
Satisfaction Guaranteed
Earn Reward Points
for FREE Stamps & More