1894 Bureau Issue Unwatermarked
In 1894 the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which had been producing currency for the United States for some time, took over the production of postage stamps. Prior to this time all postage had been printed by contractors. The stamp issues of 1894, 1895, and 1898 are often collectively referred to as the First Bureau Issue.
| Denom. | Description | Mint | Used |
| 1 cent | Franklin - ultramarine | $48.50 | $4.75 |
| 1 cent | Franklin - blue | $105.00 | $2.50 |
| 2 cent | Washington - pink - Triangle A | $40.00 | $5.75 |
| 2 cent | Washington - Carmine lake - Triangle A | $260.00 | $4.75 |
| 2 cent | Washington - Carmine - Triangle A | $42.50 | $2.25 |
| 2 cent | Washington - Carmine - Triangle B | $475.00 | $10.75 |
| 2 cent | Washington - Carmine - Triangle C | $165.00 | $10.75 |
| 3 cent | Jackson - purple | $165.00 | $10.75 |
| 4 cent | Lincoln - dark brown | $235.00 | $6.25 |
| 5 cent | Grant - chocolate | $170.00 | $6.00 |
| 6 cent | Garfield - dull brown | $225.00 | $22.75 |
| 8 cent | Sherman - violet brown | $225.00 | $17.50 |
| 10 cent | Webster - dark green | $425.00 | $12.75 |
| 15 cent | Clay - dark blue | $475.00 | $50.00 |
| 50 cent | Jefferson - orange | $750.00 | $100.00 |
| $1 | Perry - black - Type I | $1,650.00 | $325.00 |
| $1 | Perry - black - Type II | $3,000.00 | $575.00 |
| $2 | Madison - bright blue | $4,150.00 | $975.00 |
| $5 | Marshall - dark green | $6,250.00 | $2,075.00 |
The series of 1894 is nearly identical to the series of 1890-93 - the smaller regular issue stamps printed by the American Bank Note Company. The newer Bureau stamps can be distinguished by noting triangles in the upper corners of the design which are present on the Bureau stamps but not on the American Bank Note stamps. When identifying the 2 cent George Washington stamps, three different triangles have been distinguished:
Triangle A features uninterrupted horizontal lines with no change in thickness.
Triangle B features uninterrupted horizontal lines that are thinner within the triangle than outside.
Triangle C in which the lines do not cross the frame of the triangle and are thinner within the triangle than outside.
1895 Bureau Issue Double Line Watermark
In 1895, the Bureau switched to watermarked paper as a security measure. These stamps feature the double line USPS watermark. The images are the same as those pictured in the 1894 series above.
| Denom. | Description | Mint | Used |
| 1 cent | Franklin - blue | $9.25 | $0.50 |
| 2 cent | Washington - carmine - Triangle A | $40.00 | $2.50 |
| 2 cent | Carmine - Triangle B | $47.50 | $5.75 |
| 2 cent | Carmine - Triangle C | $6.75 | $0.35 |
| 3 cent | Jackson - purple | $52.50 | $1.50 |
| 4 cent | Lincoln - dark brown | $60.00 | $2.30 |
| 5 cent | Grant - chocolate | $46.50 | $2.25 |
| 6 cent | Garfield - dull brown | $160.00 | $5.75 |
| 8 cent | Sherman - violet brown | $100.00 | $1.90 |
| 10 cent | Webster - dark green | $135.00 | $2.10 |
| 15 cent | Clay - dark blue | $315.00 | $13.75 |
| 50 cent | Jefferson - orange | $400.00 | $32.50 |
| $1 | Perry - black - Type I | $875.00 | $85.00 |
| $1 | Perry - black - Type II | $1,950.00 | $180.00 |
| $2 | Madison - bright blue | $1,550.00 | $350.00 |
| $5 | Marshall - dark green | $2,850.00 | $500.00 |
1898-1899 Universal Postal Union Colors
In 1898, the colors of some stamps were changed to conform to Universal Postal Union standards: the 1 cent Franklin was changed to green and the 5 cent grant was changed to blue. Also reissued in different colors (to avoid confusion) were the 10 cent Webster reissued in brown and orange brown and the 15 cent Clay reissued in olive green.
| Denom. | Description | Mint | Used |
| 1 cent | Franklin - green | $16.00 | $0.40 |
| 2 cent | Washington - red | $16.00 | $0.40 |
| 4 cent | Lincoln - rose brown | $43.50 | $2.50 |
| 5 cent | Grant - dark blue | $47.50 | $1.85 |
| 6 cent | Garfield - lake | $65.00 | $5.50 |
| 6 cent | Purplish lake | $95.00 | $12.75 |
| 10 cent | Webster - brown - Type I | $165.00 | $4.00 |
| 10 cent | Webster - orange brown - Type II | $200.00 | $4.75 |
| 15 cent | Clay - olive green | $210.00 | $8.50 |
These prices for U.S. stamps are provided as a service to Hobbizine readers. They are derived from numerous sources such as dealer price lists, advertisements in philatelic publications, and public auction results. Use these values as a guideline for evaluating the reasonableness of dealer prices, setting up trades with other collectors, and estimating the worth of your collection. The value of an individual stamp is dependent on its centering and condition. The prices listed here are for well centered, undamaged stamps. A particularly nice example might sell for more than the amount listed, while a poor copy might be worth less.
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