Scott #65 (1861 3¢ rose Washington) on cover.

Updated August 7, 2026

Issue: 1861 Issue (National Bank Note Company).Standard design with Washington facing left, “U.S. POSTAGE” at top, large “3” numerals, and “THREE CENTS” at bottom. Perf 12, no watermark, no grill.Color: Rose (with pinkish tones). This is the common shade of Scott #65.Scott #64 = true pink (brighter and more distinct).Scott #64b = rose pink (intermediate shade, still scarcer than #65).Scott #65 = rose (the most common, and the one that frequently shows pinkish hues in scans or under certain lighting).Color determination on these stamps is subjective and best done with certified reference copies under consistent light. From the photos, the stamp reads as ordinary rose rather than a true pink or rose-pink. The vast majority of examples that look somewhat pink are #65.The “balls at corners” you noted are the normal circular/ornamental design elements in the corners of the 1861 frame — they appear on both #64 and #65 and are not a distinguishing feature. The stamp also shows reasonably good centering for the issue.Cover detailsYellow/buff envelope.Manuscript address: “Mrs E. Quinn / Cambridge / Ills.” (Illinois).Green circular town cancel (partially visible) tying the stamp — green cancels are a modest plus for collectors.Reverse shows normal flap with some pencil notations (dates such as “July 14th” / “July 20th” style notes, likely old inventory or docketing).This is a standard 3¢ domestic letter-rate cover from the Civil War period.ValueUsed single Scott #65: roughly $2–$5.Ordinary #65 on cover in this condition: typically $10–$25.The green cancel and decent centering/condition give it a small premium over the most common black-canceled examples. It remains a regular Civil War-era usage rather than a high-value item. A genuine #64 or #64b on cover would be worth considerably more, but the color does not support that attribution from the images.If the shade looks more distinctly pink or rose-pink to you in hand (especially in natural light), the only reliable confirmation is expertization by the Philatelic Foundation or PSE. Based on the scans, it is the common Scott #65.

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More lots in this auction

• Scott #65 (1861 3¢ rose Washington) on cover
• 1943 D Mercury Dime & 1944 Jefferson War Nickel
• 1943-P Jefferson “War Nickel” (silver wartime)
• 1900 and 1901 Indian head pennies
• 1939 Mercury dime 90% Winged Liberty Head
• 1890 and 1906 Indian Head Pennies
• 1861–62 issue (National Bank Note Company), Scott.
• 1897 Indian Head Cent (Philadelphia Mint, no mint.

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