FREE: U.S. Postage Stamp 1968 ( Thomas Paine )

The listing, U.S. Postage Stamp 1968 ( Thomas Paine ) has ended.

Used

U.S. #1292
40¢ Thomas Paine
Prominent Americans Series

Issue Date: January 29, 1968
City: Philadelphia, PA
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Rotary Press
Color: Blue black

Prominent Americans Series
The Prominent Americans Series recognizes people who played important roles in U.S. history. Officials originally planned to honor 18 individuals, but later added seven others. The Prominent Americans Series began with the 4¢ Lincoln stamp, which was issued on November 10, 1965. During the course of the series, the 6¢ Eisenhower stamp was reissued with an 8¢ denomination and the 5¢ Washington was redrawn.

A number of technological changes developed during the course of producing the series, resulting in a number of varieties due to gum, luminescence, precancels and perforations plus sheet, coil and booklet formats. Additionally, seven rate changes occurred while the Prominent Americans Series was current, giving collectors who specialize in first and last day of issue covers an abundance of collecting opportunities.

The 40¢ Prominent Americans stamp pictures Thomas Paine. An Englishman, Paine (1737-1809) came to America after meeting Benjamin Franklin. He joined Franklin in Philadelphia, and soon became an editor of Pennsylvania Magazine. He gained great fame as the publisher of the pamphlet “Common Sense” (1776), which championed American independence. This pamphlet sold more than 500,000 copies in a few months, making it the most widely circulated pamphlet of the time. “Common Sense,” more than any other document, paved the way for the Declaration of Independence.