2c George Washington Stamp (1917): How to Identify It

2c George Washington, Washington-Franklin Series (1908-1922), issued 1917-10-10: design, perforation, printing and 2 varieties to check, with the issue notes quoted from stamp references and USPS.

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At a glance

Denomination: 2c
Series: Washington-Franklin Series (1908-1922)
Issued: 1917-10-10
Scott catalog number: 519
Printing: Flat plate
Perforation: 11
Watermark: Double line
Color: Carmine

How to recognize the 2c George Washington stamp

Background: the New York postmaster once found he had about 1,500 sheets of imperforate 2c stamps of this design on hand.
Color: carmine.

Varieties to check

The same design was issued in more than one form. Which one you have changes the catalog listing:

Type I vs. Type II vs. Type III design (later 2c Washington printings, e.g. Scott 266/267): Across the wider 2c Washington run, the Bureau made small engraving changes (shading lines around the design) that collectors classify into numbered 'types'; these are separate from perforation or watermark differences.
Perforated vs. imperforate printings: Some 2c Washington sheets were released without any perforations (imperforate) rather than perforated on all sides; check the stamp's edges for perforation teeth.

Why this stamp is so common

The 2c denomination paid the standard first-class letter rate for most of this stamp's production, so it was printed and used in enormous quantities across many years, papers, and perforation gauges.

Checks that apply to any U.S. definitive

Measure the perforations with a gauge; the same design often exists in two or three gauges, and that is usually what separates the common one from the scarce one.
Sheet, coil or booklet: coils have two straight edges on opposite sides; booklet panes have one or two straight edges from the pane edge.
Tagging: hold it under a longwave UV lamp; tagged and untagged printings of the same design are listed separately.
Condition (centering, gum, cancel) is a separate question from identification.

How to photograph it for identification

Lay the stamp flat on a dark background in daylight, fill the frame, and keep the phone parallel so the perforations are not distorted. Photograph the back too if there is a watermark or gum question. The app reads the design and denomination; the perforation and tagging checks above settle which listing it is.

FAQ

When was the 2c George Washington stamp issued?

1917-10-10, as part of the Washington-Franklin Series (1908-1922).

How do I know it is the 1917 George Washington and not another one?

Background: the New York postmaster once found he had about 1,500 sheets of imperforate 2c stamps of this design on hand.

Are there different versions of the 2c George Washington stamp?

Yes. Type I vs. Type II vs. Type III design (later 2c Washington printings, e.g. Scott 266/267): Across the wider 2c Washington run, the Bureau made small engraving changes (shading lines around the design) that collectors classify into numbered 'types'; these are separate from perforation or watermark differences. The page lists 2 in total.

Is my copy worth anything?

This page identifies the stamp; it does not price it. Most definitives were printed in the hundreds of millions, so what matters is which variety you have and its condition. Identify it here first, then use the varieties list to see if you have one of the scarcer printings.

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