1917 $5 War Savings stamp, dark green, unwatermarked

US #WS3

1917 $5 Dark Green War Savings Certificate Stamp

“An idle Quarter is a slacker Quarter.” That was just one of the ads for War Saving Stamps (WSS). The cost of fighting World War I was growing rapidly and the government needed a way to pay for the war. The War Savings Stamp program began in December 1917.

 $5 War Savings Certificate Stamps cost $4.12 at the post office. They earned 4% interest, or a penny a month. When they matured five years later, they could be redeemed for $5. There were “certificate folders” available to store the $5 stamps. When filled with 20 stamps, the folder could be exchanged for a $100 bond.

Each year the color of the $5 certificate was changed to avoid confusion over maturity dates. The first issue was dark green and pictured George Washington. #WS3 differs from #WS2 in that these stamps were rouletted instead of perforated.