U.S. 1908 2¢ lake Washington type II stamp in steady demand

Apr 23, 2025, 8 AM

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

In 1903, the U.S. Post Office Department issued a 2¢ carmine George Washington type I definitive stamp on paper watermarked double-line “U S P S” and perforated gauge 12 (Scott 319). In 1908, another version of the stamp in lake with minor differences in the design details (type II) was issued (Scott 319F).

To aid in identification of die types, the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers includes magnified images of the type I and type II die types.

A difference that is not readily apparent in the Scott U.S. Specialized catalog image for the type II die is that there is normally a bubble or thicker dot in the lower left corner, rather than just a thicker even line as shown in the illustration.

We first tipped the type II stamp (Scott 319F) in the Feb. 26, 2018, Stamp Market Tips, and it has remained in constant demand since that time. The Scott U.S. Specialized catalog values this stamp at $10 in very fine grade and unused hinged condition and at $25 in mint, never-hinged condition.

This stamp is surprisingly difficult to find in very fine or fine-very fine grade. It is a good buy at 80 percent to 100 percent of Scott catalog values. As is to be expected, stamps in higher grades sell for more

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