1879 1¢ Franklin - U.S. #182

U.S. #182
1879 1¢ Franklin

Earliest Known Use: January 3, 1879
Quantity issued: 591,756,900 (estimate)
Printed by: American Bank Note Company
Method: Flat plate
Watermark: None
Perforation: 12
Color: Dark ultramarine

This stamp bears the secret mark of the 1¢ Continental stamp (#156) and is identical to it except for being printed on soft paper.

Printing Contract Changes Hands Once Again
Continental Bank Note Co. secured a second contract spanning 1877-1881. On February 4, 1879, the American Bank Note Company assumed control from Continental, inheriting the ongoing contract. With this transition, American acquired all the old plates previously utilized by National during their consolidation, resulting in American Bank Note stamps carrying the same secret marks. Plates lacking prior secret marks remained unaltered.

Distinguishing between stamps printed by Continental and American can be achieved by identifying the type of paper utilized. Both National and Continental employed hard paper, exhibiting a fairly white hue, smooth surface, uniform thickness, and a degree of translucency. American, conversely, utilized soft paper, discernible by its thicker, coarser, and uneven texture, presenting a yellowish tint and diminished translucency when compared to hard paper.

(Photo is of Actual Product)