U.S. #503

1917-19 4¢ Washington

The 4¢ Washington, U.S. #503, was printed in large quantities, and since it never was in particularly high demand, stayed current for six years.

Flat Plate, Perf. 11

The Bureau continued to use the 10 gauge perforation machines on flat plate stamp sheet even after 11 perf. stamps proved successful. In an effort to save money, they used the perf. 10 wheels until they wore out. Beginning in early 1917, stamps produced on flat plate presses were given 11 gauge perfs.

That marked the beginning of the flat plate perforated 11 Series of 1917-19 stamps. Perf. 12 had proven too flimsy, and perf. 10 was too difficult to separate without damaging the stamp, so perf. 11 became a satisfactory solution.

4¢ Washington, issued to satisfy the two-ounce, first-class rate

Issue Date: March 1917

Category: Definitive

Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Printing Method: Flat plate, using plates of 400 with four panes of 100

Watermark: None

Perforation: 11

Color: Brown

Water-activated Gum