The Scott #245 is a United States postage stamp issued in 1893 as part of the Columbian Exposition series, commemorating the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas.

The stamp’s denomination of $5 was the highest of the series and reflected the increasing costs of postal services for international mail at the time, but more prominently for the sale as a commemorative item in order to generate additional revenue for the Post Office.

Design & Print

The Scott #245 was printed by the American Bank Note Company. The stamp was part of the 1893 Columbian Exposition series, with a print run of 21,844 stamps. This quantity was relatively small compared to other stamps in circulation at the time, as the $5 denomination was intended for a niche market requiring international or express mail services.

The stamp was issued in January, 1893, and its production was part of the larger series marking the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, celebrating the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s first voyage to the New World.

The design of Scott #245 features a portrait of Christopher Columbus at the center, drawn from a famous painting by the artist John Vanderlyn. Surrounding Columbus is a bold and simple frame with the denomination of “$5” in large numerals.

The stamp is printed in a deep black ink, making it one of the most striking designs in the series.

The production process involved intricate engraving techniques, and the quality of printing ensured a crisp and distinct image, which is a defining characteristic of the stamp.

Postal Usage

The $5 denomination of Scott #245 had a specific and important role in the U.S. postal system. At the time of its issuance in 1893, the United States was experiencing changes in its postal rates due to growing international trade and the expansion of express mail services.

The $5 stamp was used primarily for international and parcel services, both of which required a higher postage rate due to the increased weight, distance, and speed of the service. It also served as a means of sending high-value items securely across international borders.

At the time of its production, the U.S. postal system was operating under the Postal Act of 1872, which had set up international agreements with various countries, establishing standardized rates for international mail. The $5 stamp was used to meet the rates established for sending heavy or valuable packages, particularly to countries with which the United States had established mail treaties.

Identification

Scott #245 can be identified by several distinct features that set it apart from other stamps in the Columbian Exposition series. The bold black ink used in the printing also helps make the stamp stand out from other denominations, which were printed in a variety of colors.

The design itself includes a detailed portrait of Christopher Columbus, based on a painting by John Vanderlyn. The engraving is particularly sharp, with a noticeable attention to detail in Columbus’s facial features. The $5 denomination is clearly marked in large numerals across the top of the stamp.

While similar in some ways to other stamps in the series, particularly those with portraits of Columbus, the $5 stamp’s larger sized portrait and dark black color make it distinctive. It can be further distinguished by the lack of color variations in the design, as the $5 stamp was issued solely in black.

The top left corner says “1492” while the top right corner says “1892”. Not to be confused with the 1992 reissue (Scott #2629) that says “1992” in the top right corner.