By Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

On Sept. 10, 1914, the U.S. Post Office Department issued a 12¢ claret brown Benjamin Franklin stamp (Scott 435). This flat-plate printed stamp is perforated gauge 10 on paper watermarked single line (U S P S).

The 2019 Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers values the stamp at $22.50 in unused hinged condition and $60 in mint never-hinged condition. A used example in very fine grade is valued at $5.50.

Stamps in very fine grade without faults, such as short perforation teeth or paper flaws, are easily worth 80 percent of Scott catalog.

It is a good idea to use watermark detecting fluid to detect hidden flaws or faults, especially when buying a used example.

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