1861–62 issue (National Bank Note Company), Scott.

Updated August 7, 2026

Design: Washington facing left in an oval, with large “3” numerals on both sides, “U.S. POSTAGE” in the top curved tablet, and “THREE CENTS” at the bottom with “U” and “S” in the lower corners. This is the classic Civil War-era definitive design.Color: Rose to brown-red / rose-brown (the common shade range for #65). Scarcer pink or “pigeon blood” shades belong to other numbers (#64, etc.).Perforation: Gauge 12 (visible teeth on all sides).Printing: Engraved, flat-plate, unwatermarked.Quantity: Over 1.78 billion issued — one of the most common 19th-century U.S. stamps.Grill: None visible on the reverse (grilled versions such as Scott 86 or 88 are different numbers and show a pattern of points on the back).Condition notes from the photos: Heavily cancelled (black cancel largely obscuring the portrait), some overall toning/soiling, and typical used paper appearance on the reverse. Centering appears average to slightly off.

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