1866 Abraham Lincoln 15-Cent Mourning Stamp (Scott #77) Value & Price Guide

On April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre. The president died the following morning. A nation that had just survived four years of civil war went into mourning for the man who had held it together.

Almost exactly one year later, in April 1866, the Post Office Department issued a 15-cent stamp bearing Lincoln's portrait, printed entirely in black. It was the first US postage stamp to honor a deceased president, and its timing and color left no doubt about its purpose. Collectors have called it the "mourning stamp" ever since.

Quick Value Summary

Item: 1866 15-Cent Abraham Lincoln Stamp (Scott Catalog #77) Year of Issue: 1866 (earliest documented use: April 21, 1866) Printer: National Bank Note Company Category: Stamps

Condition Range:

• Used, Average Condition: $50 - $150

• Used, Fine to Very Fine: $150 - $400

• Used, Superb with fancy cancel: $300 - $800

• Unused, No Gum: $400 - $1,000

• Unused, Original Gum: $800 - $3,000+

• Mint, Never Hinged (if exists): $3,000 - $5,000+

Estimated Quantity Printed: Approximately 2,139,000 Rarity: Uncommon (especially unused with original gum)

The Story

The Scott #77 wasn't officially designated as a memorial stamp. The Post Office Department categorized it as a regular issue intended to pay the first-class letter rate to France or Prussia (15 cents at the time). But the combination of Lincoln's portrait, the solid black printing, and the release date, almost exactly one year after the assassination, made the mourning connection unmistakable. Period newspapers and correspondents referred to it as a tribute.

The stamp was designed in the classic banknote style of the 1860s, with Lincoln's portrait facing left in an ornate oval frame. The National Bank Note Company printed it on paper with no watermark, perforated 12 (a gauge measurement referring to the number of perforation holes per two centimeters). The black ink gave it a gravity that other stamps in the series lacked.

Lincoln had actually appeared on US stamps before, albeit briefly. A 15-cent dark brown Lincoln stamp was part of the 1861-62 regular issue (Scott #77 replaced it). But the switch to black printing for the 1866 issue was deliberate and meaningful.

About 2.1 million copies were printed, a modest run compared to the billions of stamps produced today but a significant number for the 1860s. Most were used for international mail. Surviving unused examples are scarce because stamps were functional objects, not collectibles, to most people in 1866.

The stamp also exists with grills, which are small patterns of tiny raised bumps pressed into the paper. Grills were applied experimentally to prevent stamp reuse (the grill would absorb ink, making it harder to wash off a cancellation). The grilled varieties (Scott #91 and #98) are considerably rarer and more valuable than the ungrilled #77.

How to Identify It

Key visual markers:

• Color: Black (this is the defining characteristic)

• Denomination: 15 cents

• Portrait: Abraham Lincoln, facing left, in an oval frame with ornate scrollwork

• Perforation gauge: 12 (meaning 12 perforation holes per 2cm along each edge)

• No watermark

• Scott Catalog Number: 77

Grilled varieties (more valuable):

• Scott #91 (E grill): Grill measuring approximately 11 x 13mm. Value: $600 - $5,000+ depending on condition.

• Scott #98 (F grill): Grill measuring approximately 9 x 13mm. Value: $300 - $3,000+ depending on condition.

How to check for a grill: Hold the stamp up to a light at an angle, or place it face-down on a dark surface. The grill appears as a pattern of small raised points on the paper. A grill is easier to see from the back of the stamp.

Common confusions:

• Scott #77 vs. grilled varieties (#91, #98): The grilled versions look identical from the front. You must check the back for the grill pattern.

• 1861-62 Lincoln 15-cent (Scott #77's predecessor): This earlier stamp is dark brown/brownish, not black. The color difference is usually obvious but can be tricky in certain lighting.

• Later Lincoln stamps: Lincoln appeared on many subsequent US stamps (the 4-cent 1890 issue, the 4-cent 1954-68 Liberty Series, etc.). These later issues are common and worth very little.

Value by Condition

Used, Average Condition (small faults, heavy cancel): $50 - $150 The stamp is identifiable but has issues: short perforations, thin spots, staining, or a heavy cancellation that obscures the portrait. Most surviving Scott #77 stamps fall into this range.

Used, Fine to Very Fine (clean, good centering): $150 - $400 Reasonably well-centered, clean cancel that doesn't obscure the design excessively. Full perforations. No thins or tears. This is the grade most collectors target for a presentable album example.

Used, Superb with Fancy Cancel: $300 - $800 Exceptionally well-centered, clean, with a desirable fancy cancellation (geometric patterns, letters, or pictorial designs). Fancy cancels from the 1860s are collected in their own right, and a nice one on a Lincoln mourning stamp adds significant appeal.

Unused, No Gum: $400 - $1,000 The stamp was never used but has lost its original gum (the adhesive on the back). This might have happened through washing, storage conditions, or deliberate removal. Still scarce and desirable.

Unused, Original Gum: $800 - $3,000+ Retains some or all of its original gum. Gum may be disturbed (from a hinge or humidity) but is present. Original gum examples of 1860s stamps are genuinely scarce.

Mint, Never Hinged: $3,000 - $5,000+ If such examples exist in this condition, they are extremely rare. Stamp collecting conventions of the era meant that virtually all stamps were hinged into albums. A truly never-hinged Scott #77 would be exceptional.

Known Varieties

Scott #77 (no grill): The standard issue. Most common and most affordable.

Scott #91 (E grill): Same stamp with an E-size grill applied. Significantly rarer. Used examples: $600 - $3,000.

Scott #98 (F grill): Same stamp with an F-size grill. Also rare. Used examples: $300 - $2,000.

Color varieties: The black ink can appear in slightly different shades (intense black vs. grayish black) due to printing variations. These subtle differences are noted by specialists but don't dramatically affect value.

Authentication & Fakes

Key concerns:

• Grills: Fake grills can be applied to ungrriled stamps to increase value. Expert philatelic authentication is recommended for any stamp claimed to have a grill.

• Reperforation: Stamps with short or ragged perforations are sometimes reperforated to improve appearance. Under magnification, the perforation holes should be consistent and show the characteristics of machine perforation.

• Color alterations: A brownish Lincoln stamp (the earlier issue) could potentially be chemically treated to appear blacker. Expert examination under UV light and chemical testing can detect this.

Professional expertizing services:

• Philatelic Foundation (PF): The gold standard for US stamp authentication. Certificate fee: approximately $30 - $100+.

• American Philatelic Expertizing Service (APEX): Another well-respected service.

For stamps valued over $200, a certificate of authenticity from the Philatelic Foundation or APEX significantly increases buyer confidence and resale value.

Where to Sell

Best venues:

• Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries: The premier US stamp auction house. Best for rare unused examples and grilled varieties.

• Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions: Another top-tier philatelic auction house.

• eBay: Active market for used examples. Fees ~13%.

• HipStamp / Delcampe: Online stamp marketplaces with knowledgeable buyers.

• Local stamp dealers: Buy at 30-60% of catalog value depending on condition and demand.

Expected selling costs:

• Expertizing certificate: $30 - $100+

• Auction house buyer's premium: 18-20%

• Seller's commission: 10-15% at auction

• Shipping: $5 - $15 (stamps are lightweight)

Have an old black stamp with Lincoln on it? Upload a photo to Curio Comp for quick identification.

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