Identification guide for designs of United States stamped envelopes, wrappers, and letter sheets
twelve cents



There are 6 designs of indicia whose face value is twelve cents. You can determine which of the designs your item has by starting with question 1 below.

Question 1: Whose bust is in the image?
(choose an answer below)

George Washington's
(go to Question 2)
stamp image
design U16
stamp image
design U22
 
Henry Clay's
(go to Question 3)
stamp image
design U29
stamp image
design U52
stamp image
design UO13
stamp image
design UO22

 


Question 2: Are there one or two colors in the design?
(choose an answer below or return to the previous question (#1) you answered)

one color
stamp image
design U22
You have identified design #U22, printed in brown on buff paper and diagnostic for
Scott #U68, or printed in red-brown on buff paper and diagnostic for Scott #U69.
 
two colors
stamp image
design U16
You have identified design #U16, printed in red and brown on buff paper and diagnostic for
Scott #U42, or printed in lake and brown on buff paper and diagnostic for Scott #U42a.

 



Question 3: Are the words "War Dept" present near the top of the design?
(choose an answer below or return to the previous question (#1) you answered)

yes (go to Question 5)     no (go to Question 4)
 

 


Question 4: How would you describe Clay's chin and ear?
(choose an answer below, see the next question or return to the previous question (#1) you answered)

chin prominent and ear partially covered by hair
stamp image
design U29
You have identified design #U29, printed in plum and shared by
Scott #s U93 (white), U94 (amber), and U95 (cream).
 
chin receding and ear prominent
stamp image
design U52
You have identified design #U52, printed in plum and shared by
Scott #s U195 (white), U196 (amber), and U197 (cream).

 


Question 5: How would you describe Clay's chin and ear?
(choose an answer below or return to the previous question (#3) you answered)

chin prominent and ear partially covered by hair
stamp image
design UO13
You have identified design #UO13, printed in dark red and diagnostic for
Scott #s UO26, or printed in vermilion and diagnostic for UO40.
 
chin receding and ear prominent
stamp image
design UO22
You have identified design #UO22, printed in red and shared by
Scott #s UO61 (white), UO62 (amber), and UO63 (cream).

 

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