The Large Bank Notes were introduced in 1870 to replace the 1869 series which was very unpopular with the stamp buying public. The Large Bank Notes were to remain in use for twenty years and involve three different printers. The 1870 series was printed by the National Bank Note Company (NBNC). This series was issued both with and without grills. In 1873, the Continental Bank Note Company (CBNC) was awarded the contract to print stamps. CBNC used the same plates as NBNC and secret marks were added to distinguish the different printings. It is not known whether NBNC intentionally added the marks to ensure that their work would be distinguishable from CBNC work or vice versa. In 1879, the American Bank Note Company (ABNC) began the printing after they acquired the CBNC. During the 1880s, ABNC re-engraved most of the stamps in the series.

The grilled issue consisted of 11 values (1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, 24, 30 and 90 cents) on white wove paper that was thin to medium thick. Two different grills, H and I, were used. The H grill measures 11 to 13 points wide by 14 to 16 points tall, approximately 10 by 12 millimeters. The H grill is found on all values in the series. The I grill by contrast is only found on 1 cent through 15 cent values except for the 10 cent value. The I grill is 10 to 11 points wide by 10 to 13 points tall, approximately 8.5 by 10 millimeters, and it is rarer than the H grill. All values were also issued without grills. It is not clear exactly what the sequence of issue was as some values earliest known use is for the without grill variety.

The CBNC initially consisted of the same 11 values as the NBNC. As previously stated the same plates were used by CBNC as NBNC. It is thought that all values were secretly marked to allow the printer to be distinguished. However, secret marks have only been identified on the values through 15 cents and the 30 cent value. Printings of the 24 cent value by CBNC are known to have been issued but only one has ever been certified as being a CBNC printing. That is because it is on ribbed paper and NBNC did not use ribbed paper. In addition to vertically and horizontally ribbed paper, straw and silk papers were used. All CBNC issues except for the 24 and 90 cent values can be found with the J grill. It is suspected that these may be essays and not regularly issue and are quite scarce. The J grill measures 7 by 9.5 millimeters. In 1875, the two cent value was printed in a new color and a five cent value was issued to replace the 6 cent value. CBNC issues are generally on white wove paper that is thin to thick. The 1875 values are on yellowish wove paper. In 1875, the CBNC produced special printings on hard, white wove paper without gum. The initial issue reproduced the original 11 values, while the second issue reproduced the two new values. Both special printings were on hard, white wove paper without gum.

In 1879, the ABNC acquired the CBNC. The ABNC issued 9 values (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 30 and 90 cents) on soft porous paper using the CBNC plates which makes it rather difficult to say which printings should be attributed to the CBNC and ABNC. The generally accepted method is to associate those printings on soft paper to the ABNC. Between 1881 and 1883 and then again between 1887 and 1888 the low values were re-engraved, a four cent value was introduce, colors were changed and Washington moved to the two cent value. The color of the two high values was also changed. In 1880, special printings of 13 values were issued on soft porous paper without gum. Special printings of the 2 cent re-engraved value and the new four cent value were also produced in 1883 and 1885.

The subsequent high resolution scans are provided so as you read the text describing the "secret marks" added to numerous denominations by the Continental Bank Note Company, you will have an example to refer to (scans by J.H. Barwis, RA2164, montage by CJD).

The one cent Franklin was issue by all three bank note companies in a shade of ultramarine or blue. The portrait was based on a marble bust by Rubricht.

The NBNC printing with grill was the first to appear, with 9 April 1870 its earliest known use. It was printed on hard white wove paper in ultramarine with pale and dark ultramarine shades also found. It can be found with both the H and I grill. Approximately 5 million grilled stamps were produced and can be found with black, blue, red and green cancellations.

Approximately 140 million of the without grill stamps were printed. The primary color is also ultramarine and pale and dark ultramarine shades also exist. The earliest known use of the without grill issue is 7 June 1870. The without grill stamp can be found with black, blue, ultramarine, magenta, purple, brown, red and green cancellations.

The CBNC printing can be found on hard or soft white wove paper as well as ribbed and silk paper. The color remained ultramarine, with a pale ultramarine shade as well as gray blue and blue shades found. It contains a secret mark in the first ball directly to the left of the number 1 that allows it to be distinguished from the NBNC printing. Its earliest known use, of the approximately 780 million CBNC one cent stamps, is 22 August 1873. Black, blue, purple, magenta, ultramarine, red, orange, brown and green cancellation can be found.

In 1875, a special printing was produced in ultramarine.

The ABNC produced three different versions of the one cent Franklin. The first was printed using the CBNC plates. It is on soft porous paper and also has the secret mark. It was produced in dark ultramarine with blue and gray blue shades noted. Its earliest known use is 25 April 1879 with an estimated 590 million being produced. Black, blue, magenta, purple, red and green cancellations have been found.

In 1881, a re-engraved version was issued. It can be distinguished by the deepened the vertical lines in the upper part which gives it a solid appearance. Around 3.4 billion were produced in gray blue, with ultramarine, dull blue and slate blue shades identified. The earliest known use is 5 December 1881 with black, purple, magenta, blue, red, green and orange cancellation noted.

A total re-design of the frame was made in 1887. The color remained ultramarine with a bright ultramarine shade also identified. Its earliest known use is 7 July 1887. A little over 1.3 billion were printed and cancellations in black, purple, magenta, blue and red are known.

A special printing was produce in 1880 in dark ultramarine.

A marble bust by Powers was used as the basis for the two cent Jackson stamp. It was printed in a shade of brown by the NBNC and CBNC. In 1875, the CBNC changed the color to vermilion and the ABNC continued with vermilion when they assumed the contract in 1879.

The two cent Jackson without grill was the first to appear. Its earliest known use is 11 June 1870 in red brown by the NBNC. Pale and dark red brown shades are known. Around 250 million were issued. Black, blue, purple, red, green and brown cancellations have been found.

The earliest known use for the grilled issues is 22 August 1870. Both the H and I grills can be found. About 10 million were produced. Black, blue, red, brown and green cancellations are found.

In 1873, when the CBNC took over the stamp printing contract a brown shade vice a red brown shade was employed. A secret mark has been identified in the scroll above the U of U. S. POSTAGE. On CBNC printing there is a joining of the scroll line and the vertical shading line. On NBNC printings the lines don’t join and there is less color in the area. The two printing can pretty readily be identified by color with the CBNC printings being a shade of brown and the NBNC printings being a shade of red brown. Black, blue, magenta, purple, red, orange and green cancellations have been found. Approximately 112 million were produced and can be found on ribbed and silk paper as well as wove paper.

In 1875, the color was changed to alleviate confusion with the ten cent value. The seven cent rate was made obsolete by the UPU treaty and vermilion which was use for the seven cent stamp was now available for use on the two cent stamp. Approximately 279 million of the vermilion shade were produced with an earliest known use of 15 July 1875. Black, blue, purple, magenta and red cancellations are known.

In 1875, a special printing of the two cent Jackson was produce in dark brown. A carmine vermilion version of the vermilion shade was also produced in 1875. Both special printing were printed on hard paper, without gum.

Only one version of the regular issue two cent Jackson was produced by the ABN. The earliest known use is 4 February 1879 in vermilion. Approximately 440 million were issued. Cancellation in black, blue, purple, magenta and red are known. The two cent Jackson was replaced by the two cent Washington in 1883 when the first class postage rate was decreased from 3 to 2 cents.

Two special printings were also produced in 1880, one in black brown and the other in scarlet vermilion.

Houdon marble bust was the source for the Washington design. Originally, Washington was the subject for the three cent stamp. However, in 1883 Congress lowered the rate to two cents and the two cent Washington was introduced to ensure that a stamp bearing Washington portrait was available for the first class rate. The ABNC was the only printer to produce two cent Washingtons.

Initially the two cent Washington was printed in red brown with dark red brown and orange brown shades also found. This stamp turned out to be the most common of the banknote stamps with over 4.3 billion produced. The earliest known use is 1 October 1883. Cancellations in black, purple, magenta, blue, violet, brown, red and green are found.

In 1887, the color was change to green. The earliest known use is 18 October 1887 with bright and dark green shades also identified. This stamp also turned out to be popular and approximately 3.5 billion were produce. Cancellation is black, purple, magenta, blue, red and green have been noted.

A special printing in pale red brown was produced in 1885.

All three banknote companies produce three cent Washingtons in shades of green. The ABNC also produced one in vermilion.

The without grill version of the three cent Washington has an earliest known use of 1 March 1870. It was printed in green with pale and dark green shades also found. About 1.2 billion were issued. Cancellations can be found in black, blue, purple, magenta, brown, red, ultramarine and green.

The grilled version also in green with pale, yellow and deep green shades has an earliest known use of 24 March 1870. It can be found with both the H and I grills. Approximately 50 million were printed. Black, blue, purple, magenta, red, orange, brown and green cancellations have been found.

The CBNC printed a little over 2.6 billion three cent Washingtons in green. Bluish, yellow, dark yellow and dark green shades have identified. A secret mark identifies the CBNC printing from the NBNC printings. The lower edge in the upper tail of the ribbon on the left side has heavy shading obliterating the lower white outline. Cancellations in black, blue, magenta, purple, ultramarine, red, orange and green are found. In addition to wove paper the three cent Washington can be found on ribbed, silk and straw paper.

In 1875, a special printing was prepared in blue green.

The ABNC produce three different Washington stamps two in green and one in vermilion. The first has an earliest known use of 7 February 1879. It was printed in green with light and dark green shades also found. A little over 1.3 billion were produced. Black, blue, magenta, purple, brown, violet, red and green cancellations have been identified.

In 1880, a special printing in blue green was issued.

In 1881, the design was re-engraved with shading around the oval narrowed. The color is blue green with green and a yellow green shade can also found. Almost 1.5 billion were produced. Cancellations in black, purple, magenta, blue, brown and red are known.

In 1887, the color was changed to vermilion probably to prevent confusion with the new two cent Washington which was changed to green from red brown. Only 15 million, of the vermilion shade, were produced. Black, purple, blue and green cancellations have been found.

In 1883, the four cent Jackson was the last value added to the Banknote series to pay the double weight letter rate. It was only printed by the ABNC.

The four cent Jackson was initially printed in blue green with a deep blue green shade also found. About 78.5 million were printed. It can be found with black, purple, magenta, green and blue cancels.

A special printing was prepared in 1883 in deep blue green.

The color was changed to carmine in 1888; and, an estimated 24.5 million were produced. The earliest known use of the carmine shade is 29 January 1889. Rose carmine and pale rose shades have also been identified. Black, blue, red, purple and magenta cancels are found.

Unlike most of the other portraits in the banknote series, the five cent Taylor is based on a daguerreotype. No NBNC five cent stamps were produced. The need for a five cent stamp was created with the advent of the UPU in 1875. The rate to foreign countries, who were members of the UPU, was set at five cents; and, therefore the need for a five cent value was created. In 1879, when ABNC took over the printing contract the five cent Taylor continued to be produce until it was replaced by the five cent Garfield.

Starting in 1875, the CBNC produced the five cent Taylor in blue, with bright and light blue and greenish blue shades also identified. Its earliest known use is 12 July 1875 and is found on ribbed and silk as well as wove paper. Approximately 38 million were issued. Black, blue, purple, magenta, ultramarine and red cancels have been found.

A special printing in bright blue was also produced in 1875.

The ABNC also produce a five cent Taylor in blue with dark, bright and light blue shades found. Its earliest known use is 12 May 1879. Approximately 42 million were produced. Cancellations in black, purple, magenta, ultramarine and red are known.

In 1880, a special printing in deep blue was issued.

A presidential assassination gave rise to the five cent Garfield which replaced the five cent Taylor in 1882. The plan was to issue the stamp in black but President Garfield’s widow objected to the stamp in black and suggested brown. Again, like the five cent Taylor the design was based on a photograph. Thus both five cent stamp subject portraits were derived from photographs instead of marble bust like all other portraits in the series.

The ABNC was the only one to produce the five cent Garfield. The first printing was in yellow brown with brown and gray brown shade also found. Over 167 million were produced and the earliest known use is 14 February 1882. Black, purple, magenta, blue and red cancellations have been noted.

A special printing in gray brown was produced in 1882.

In 1888, the stamp was reissued in indigo. An estimated 85 million were released. Cancellations of black, purple, magenta and blue can be found.

A marble bust by Volk became the model for the portrait of Lincoln on the six cent bank notes which were printed by all three companies.

The NBNC printed a grilled version in carmine with pale and rose carmine shades also found. Both the H and I grills can be found on this stamp. Only 400,000 are thought to have been issued. Black, blue and red cancellations have been identified.

The without grill version is known to have been used as early as 28 March 1870. Over 27 million were issued in carmine with dark carmine and rose and brown carmine shades also identified. Cancellations in black, blue, purple, violet, brown, red, ultramarine and green are known.

The CBNC version is dull pink with a brown rose shade also noted. The first four vertical shading lines in the left ribbon were strengthen as a secret mark. Color is also a good identifier in distinguishing the CBNC printings from NBNC printings. In addition to wove paper, ribbed and silk papers were also used. However, the paper must be checked to ensure a CBNC printing is not an ABNC printing. Around 47 million were printed by CBNC on hard, double, ribbed and silk paper. Cancels in black, blue, magenta, purple, ultramarine, red and green are found. The earliest known use is 24 July 1873.

In 1875, a special printing in dull rose was issued.

The ABNC produced a pink six cent Lincoln which also has dull pink and brown rose shades. Its earliest know use was 1 July 1879. Over 23 million were issued with black, blue, purple, magenta and red cancellations found.

In 1880, a special printing in dull rose was issued.

A redesign was performed and the stamp was issued in rose with dull and deep brown rose shades also found. This stamp is distinguished from the prior version by counting the number of lines from the edge of the panel to the outside of the stamp. Previous versions has four lines, the redesigned version only has three. The earliest known use is 17 January 1883. A little over 11 million were issued. Black, magenta, purple, blue and red cancels can be found on this stamp.

The original requirement for the banknote series did not include a seven cent value. However, in 1870, a treaty with the North German Confederation was concluded which allowed letters by direct steamer at seven cents. This rate was reduced to six cents the following year, but a new seven cent rate to Germany and Austria by Prussian closed mail via England took effect on 1 October 1871. Later the rate to Denmark (1872), Hungary and Luxemburg (1873) were set at seven cents. The seven cent stamp became obsolete in 1875 with the establishment of the UPU. The seven cent Stanton was only produced by the NBNC and CNBC.

The seven cent Stanton with grill produced by the NBNC was the first to appear. Its earliest known use is 12 February 1871 and the H and I grills can be found. Only 120,000 were issued in vermilion with a deep vermilion shade also known. Black, blue, purple, red and green cancellations are found.

The without grill version has an earliest known use of 11 May 1871. It has the same colors as the grilled version but was issued in a considerably larger quantity, a little over 2.8 million. Cancellations in black, blue, purple, ultramarine and red are known.

A secret mark distinguishes CBNC printings from NBNC printings. The secret mark is two semi-circles that a drawn around the lines outlining the ball in the lower right hand corner. The color was orange vermilion with a vermilion shade also noted. It is estimated that the same number of CBNC stamps, a little over 2.8 million, were issued as the NBNC issued without grill. Ribbed and silk papers were used in addition to the wove paper. Cancels of black, blue, purple, ultramarine and red can be found.

In 1875, a special printing was produced in reddish vermilion.

Although the ABNC did not produce any stamps for the mails, they did produce a special printing in scarlet vermilion in 1880.

The marble bust by Powers serve as the model for the ten cent Jefferson. The ten cent value was printed by all three banknote companies.

The grilled version printed by NBNC earliest known use is 2 June 1870. It only is found with the H grill and is brown in color with yellow brown and dark brown shades also found. It is estimated that 80,000 were issued. Cancels of black, blue and red can be found.

The without grill version is found in the same colors as the with grill version but is much more plentiful with over 10 million printed. Black, blue, purple, magenta, ultramarine, red, green, orange and brown have been sited.

The CBNC version earliest known use is 2 August 1870. There is a secret mark, a crescent, in the right hand ball below U.S. POSTAGE. Brown is the primary color with dark and yellow brown shades as known. In addition to wove paper, ribbed and silk papers were also used in printing the ten cent Jefferson. Black, blue, purple, red, magenta, orange, brown and green cancels can be found. Approximately 30 million were printed.

In 1875, a special printing was made in pale brown.

Two versions were printed by the ABNC, with and without the secret mark. To distinguish the ABNC printings from the NBNC or CBNC check to see if the same has been printed on soft paper. Pairs of the with and without secret mark can be found. Both stamps were printed in brown with yellow brown shades also noted. Approximately 22 million with secret and 16 million without secret were printed.

Cancellations in black, blue, ultramarine, purple, magenta, red and green are found on the with secret mark stamp. Black, blue and magenta cancels are found on the without secret mark stamp. The earliest known use for the stamp with secret mark is 21 February 1879. The earliest known use for the stamp without secret mark is 5 September 1879.

A special printing in deep brown was made in 1880.

The ABNC re-engraved the stamp in 1882. The stamp can be distinguished by the number of vertical lines between the left edge of the oval and the edge of the shield. Previous versions had five vertical lines, the new version has just four. Brown, yellow, orange and black brown shades are known. The earliest known use is 11 May 1882. Black, purple, magenta, blue, red and green cancels have been found.

The model for the twelve cent Clay was a bust by Hart. The Clay was only printed by the NBNC and the CBNC; however, the ABNC did produce a special printing.

The grilled version of the twelve cent Clay has an earliest known use of 10 February 1870. It was printing in dull violet and is only found with H grill. Only about 10,000 were printed. Black and blue cancels are known.

The without grill version earliest known use is 9 July 1870. It was also printed in dull violet. About 3.9 million were printed. Cancellations in black, blue, magenta, red and green are found.

The CBNC version can be identified by the shape of the ball of the 2 in the value. The CBNC version is crescent shaped while the NBNC version is round. Ribbed paper as well as wove paper was used in producing this stamp. The earliest known use of CBNC stamp is 3 January 1873. It was printed in a blackish violet. About 3 million were printed. Black, blue, ultramarine, brown and red cancels have been found.

In 1875, a special printing was released in dark violet.

The ABNC produced a special printing in blackish purple in 1880.

Clevenger bust server as the model for the fifteen cent Webster stamp. All three banknote companies produced Webster stamps.

The NBNC produced a grilled version of the stamp which has an earliest known use of 2 June 1870. Around 80,000 were issued with the H grill only. The color is orange with bright and deep orange shades also found. Black, blue, purple, red and green cancels have been found.

The without grill version was printed in bright orange with a deep orange shade also found. 24 September 1870 is the earliest known use. About 5.5 million were issued. Cancellations in black, blue, magenta, ultramarine and red are known.

The CBNC produced their version in yellow orange with pale and reddish orange shades also identified. No definitive secret mark has been agreed upon, so color is usually used to distinguish between CBNC and NBNC printings. The lines in the triangles on all corners of the stamp are sometimes used to determine the printer, with the CBNC printings being less sharp or the area is white, but a worn plate NBNC plate can exhibit the same lack of detail. Again about 535 million were printed. Black, blue, purple and red cancellations are found. Silk and vertical ribbed paper in addition to wove paper were used to print the fifteen cent Webster.

In 1875 a special printing in bright orange was produced.

The ABNC printing was in red orange with orange and yellow orange shades also known. Stamps printed on soft paper are attributed to the ABNC. Approximately 14.7 million stamps were issued. Cancels in black, blue, purple, magenta, ultramarine and red are known.

In 1880, a special printing in orange was produce by the ABNC.

The design for the twenty-four cent Scott was taken from a bust by Coffee. The twenty-four cent value is probably the rarest of the banknote series. While it was printed by the NBNC and CBNC all but one copy has been identified as a NBNC printing. The ABNC only provided a special printing.

The earliest known use of the twenty-four cent stamp is 11 July 1870. This was the with grill version and it is believe that only 2,000 were produced. All have the H grill. The color was purple and dull purple is also found; but most copies have faded over time. Cancellations are only known in black.

The without grill version has an earliest known use of 18 November 1870. It is also purple in color. Finding the color as issued is very difficult due fugitive quality of the ink particularly due to light. A little of 1 million were issued. Cancels in black, red, blue and purple can be found.

The CBNC did print the twenty-four cent stamp. Only one has been certified and that is because it is on vertically ribbed paper which only the CBNC used. No secret mark has been identified and color would be a questionable method based on the fugitiveness of the purple ink. While it is known that 365,000 CBNC printed stamps were provided, 364,950 were destroyed as remainders in 1885. Whatever happened with the CBNC stamps will probably always remain a mystery.

In 1875, the CBNC produced a special printing in dull purple.

The ABNC also produce a special printing in dark violet in 1880.

The thirty cent Hamilton was produced by all three bank note companies based on a marble bust by Cerrachi.

The NBNC produced a grilled version in black or full black. Only the H grill was used on the thirty cent value. About 20,000 were produced and cancels of black, blue and red are known.

The without grill version is also in black or full black. A little under 900,000 were produced and the earliest known use is 31 January 1871. Black, magenta, red, brown and blue cancels have been noted.

The thirty cent Hamilton produced by the CBNC is in a grayish or greenish black on wove paper. It can also be found on ribbed or silk paper. A secret mark can be found in S of CENTS. The upper triangle protrusion on the S is broader than on the NBNC printing. Approximately 2 million were produced with an earliest known use of 30 October 1874. Black, purple, blue, red, brown and magenta cancellation have been found.

In 1875, a special printing in greenish black was issued.

The ABNC initially produce the thirty cent value in full or greenish black. Its earliest known use is 8 August 1882. An estimated 4 million were produce. Cancel of black, blue, purple, magenta and red have been seen.

In 1880, a special printing in greenish black was produced.

In 1888, the color was change to orange brown, a deep shade is also known. Just over 900,000 were issued. Black, magenta and blue cancellations have been found.

The high value in the series was based on a statue by Walcott. It was initially printed in shades of carmine by all three banknote companies before the ABNC changed it to purple late in the series.

The NBNC produce a ninety cent version with the H grill in carmine or dark carmine. About 28,000 were produced. Black, blue and red cancels are known.

A version without grill was also produced with an earliest known use of 1 September 1872. There is no identified secret mark so distinguishing NBNC printings from CBNC printings has to be done by color. Those that appear to have a bluish tint are generally regarded as being produced by the NBNC. Approximately 185,000 were produced. Black, blue, purple, magenta, green and red cancel have been found.

The CBNC printed the ninety cent in rose or pale rose carmine. Those that have a yellow tint are generally attributed to the CBNC vice the NBNC. An estimated 197,000 were issued. Black, blue, purple and red cancels are known.

In 1875, a special printing was produced in violet carmine.

The ABNC printing can distinguish by the use of soft paper. Carmine, rose and carmine rose shades can be found. Approximately 215,000 were issued. Cancellation of black, blue, purple and red are found.

In 1880, a dull carmine special printing was produced.

Like the thirty cent Hamilton, the ninety cent Perry’s color was change in 1888. The new printing was in purple with bright purple also found. About 135,000 were printed. Black, blue and purple cancels are known.

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