U.S. 2006 $1 Official mail stamp in demand

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

Most collectors of U.S. stamps start out with their focus on regular postage. But as empty spaces grow fewer and the stamps needed to fill them become more expensive, most collectors eventually find their way to the back-of-the-book where the special purpose stamps reside.

Official mail stamps are denizens of the back-of-the-book. Official mail stamps were issued as an accounting device for franking mail from government agencies or elected representatives in the government. Mail relating solely to the business of the U.S. government was authorized by law to be carried in the mail without prepayment of postage.

Official mail stamps replaced the franking privilege on July 1, 1873. The first U.S. Official mail stamps were issued for departmental use, and the designs were inscribed with the name of the department to which they were issued. Later, stamps usable by all authorized departments and agencies were produced.

One surprisingly elusive modern Official mail stamp is the $1 Great Seal of the United States stamp (Scott O161) issued Sept. 29, 2006. The Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers values the stamp at $5 in mint, never-hinged condition and very fine grade. A mint pane of 20 is valued at $100. Mint singles are in demand and are selling for $4 to $5. But the mint pane of 20 is in even higher demand and is selling at or near Scott catalog value.

The Scott U.S. Specialized catalog notes that No. O161 has a solid blue background, while an earlier $1 stamp with a similar design (O151) has a background of crosshatched lines. The earlier stamp was issued in panes of 100, and that format of No. O151 is also in demand.

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