5¢ Abraham Lincoln
Like the 2¢ 2nd Bureau stamps were to domestic mail, the 5¢ Lincoln sought similar use on foreign destined mail. In 1875 the Universal Postal Union (UPU) set a standardized rate equivalent to 5¢ per half ounce for all 1st class mail traveling to foreign countries. The rate remained into effect until Oct. 1, 1907 when it changed to 5¢ per ounce and 3¢ each additional ounce. The Lincoln stamp was issued early in 1903. Varieties include imperforate and coil stamps as well as U.S. Possessions, Canal Zone and Philippines, overprints.
Varieties [Scott number]
- Single [304]
- Imperforate [315] — Imperf page
- Coils [317]
- Canal Zone overprint [6]
- Philippines overprint [230]
Common Uses:
- 1/2 ounce UPU foreign letter rate
- Makeup higher rates
- Pair paying domestic letter rate plus registry fee
Solo Uses:
- 1st class UPU foreign letter (1/2 oz)
- Post card sent via the UPU letter rate
- 2nd class (< 20 oz newspaper/magazine)
- 3rd class (< 10 oz printed matter)
- 4th class (< 5 oz samples/merchandise)
Sent to Channel Islands.
Favorite Covers:
- Foreign letter to German East Africa
- Cover to Tonga
- Cover to Madagascar
- Pair on a penalty envelope
- Early use