1918 2-Cent Offset Printing Error (US) Value & Price Guide

In 1918, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C. was running at full capacity. World War I had created enormous demand for stamps, bonds, and currency. The presses were working overtime, and the pressure to keep up with demand led to quality control issues. Among the most collectible results: offset printing errors on the 2-cent Washington stamp (Scott #528B and related issues).

An offset error occurs when the printing plate transfers ink to the impression cylinder instead of directly to the paper. When the next sheet passes through, it picks up a reversed (mirror image) impression of the design on the back of the stamp. The result is a stamp with the normal design on the front and a ghostly reversed image on the back. In dramatic full offsets, the reversed image on the back is as clear as the design on the front.

Values range from about $50 for minor partial offsets to $2,000+ for dramatic full offsets with clear, complete reversed images.

Quick Value Summary

Detail	Info
Item	1918 2-Cent Offset Printing Error
Year	1918
Scott Numbers	#528B, 528Be, and related
Category	Stamps
Minor partial offset	$50 - $150
Moderate offset	$150 - $500
Full clear offset	$500 - $2,000+
Block of four, full offset	$2,000 - $5,000
Record Sale	~$5,000+ (block, dramatic offset)
Rarity	Uncommon (offsets), Rare (full dramatic offsets)

The Story

The 1918 2-cent stamp is part of the Washington-Franklin definitive series, the workhorse stamps that carried American mail from 1908 to 1922. The 2-cent denomination paid the standard first-class letter rate. Billions were printed.

During 1918, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was under extreme pressure. In addition to stamps, the Bureau was printing Liberty Bonds, War Savings Stamps, and currency. The equipment was running around the clock. Press operators were sometimes less experienced workers filling in for men who had gone to war.

Offset errors happen when a sheet of paper fails to feed into the press at the correct moment. The printing plate, already inked, deposits its image onto the impression cylinder instead of the paper. When the next sheet feeds through, it receives the normal impression on the front and the reversed impression (from the cylinder) on the back.

The 1918 2-cent offsets are among the most common offset errors in US philately because of the massive production volume and the wartime stress on the Bureau. But "common" is relative. Even the most frequently encountered varieties represent a tiny fraction of total production.

The errors were noticed by postal clerks and collectors at the time. Some sheets were caught and destroyed, but others made it into post offices and were sold over the counter. The ones that survived in good condition are prized by error collectors.

How to Identify It

Front: Normal 2-cent Washington stamp. Red (carmine) in the standard Type Va or other type designations. The front looks like any other 2-cent stamp of the era.

Back: This is where the error is. Hold the stamp up or flip it over. A genuine offset error will show a reversed (mirror image) version of the design on the back, printed in the same carmine ink as the front.

Degree of offset: Ranges from a faint ghost image (partial offset) to a complete, fully detailed reversed impression (full offset). The clearer and more complete the offset, the more valuable.

Authentication: Some offsets can be confused with ink soaking through thin paper. Genuine offsets show a reversed image, while bleed-through shows a non-reversed (matching orientation) image. This is the key distinction.

Perf gauge: Standard 11 gauge perforations for this issue. Some varieties are imperforate or have different gauge perforations.

Value by Condition

Minor partial offset (faint, incomplete): $50 - $150 A ghost image on the back, but faint and incomplete. Only part of the design transferred. Still collectible as an error but not visually dramatic.

Moderate offset (clear but not complete): $150 - $500 A recognizable reversed image covering most of the stamp back. Washington's portrait is identifiable in reverse. Good eye appeal.

Full clear offset (complete reversed image): $500 - $2,000+ The entire design is clearly visible on the back in reverse. This is what error collectors want: a complete mirror image as clear as the front. These are genuinely uncommon.

Blocks and plate number strips: Multiples with offset errors are rarer and more valuable. A block of four with a full offset can bring $2,000-$5,000. Plate number strips are even more desirable.

Known Variations

Type designations: The 2-cent Washington-Franklin stamps come in multiple types (Type Va, Type V, etc.) based on subtle design differences in the shading lines. These types were printed from different plates at different times, and offset errors can occur on any type.

Single vs. double offsets: Very rarely, a stamp shows offset impressions from two different missed impressions, creating a double offset. These are extremely rare.

Ink color variations: The 2-cent stamps were printed in various shades from rose to deep carmine. The color of the offset matches the printing ink.

Other denominations: Offset errors also occur on 1-cent (green) and 3-cent (violet) stamps from the same era. These are separate collectibles with their own values.

Authentication and Fakes

Bleed-through vs. offset: As noted above, the critical test is whether the back image is reversed (genuine offset) or same-orientation (bleed-through, not an error).

Artificial offsets: It is theoretically possible to create fake offsets by dampening a stamp and pressing it against another inked surface. These fakes typically show inconsistent ink density and may use the wrong ink type.

Expert certification: The American Philatelic Expertizing Service (APEX), Philatelic Foundation, and PSE (Professional Stamp Experts) all certify error stamps. For stamps valued over $200, certification is recommended.

Centering and freshness: Well-centered examples with fresh color and full gum command premiums. Heavily hinged, off-center, or faded examples bring lower prices.

Where to Sell

Specialized stamp dealers: Error stamp dealers like Mystic Stamp Company and various APS member dealers specialize in this material.

eBay: Active market for stamp errors. Good photographs showing both front and back are essential. Fees around 13%.

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries: The leading US stamp auction house. Best for high-value or exceptional pieces.

Expected costs for a $500 sale: Expert certification: $25-$50. Insured shipping: $5-$10. eBay fees: ~$65. Net to seller: roughly $380-$400.

Not sure about the condition of yours? Upload a photo to Curio Comp for a quick AI-powered estimate.

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