1929 US Nebr. 10-Cent Monroe Overprint (Scott #679)

The 1929 Nebraska overprint stamps represent one of the most fascinating philatelic experiments in American postal history: an emergency anti-theft measure that created a separate category of stamps collectible in their own right. The 10-cent Monroe (Scott #679) is one of the premium values in the Nebraska overprint series.

Why Nebraska Overprints Were Created

In the late 1920s, the United States Postal Service faced a significant problem: large thefts of postage stamps from post offices, particularly in the Midwest. Entire consignments of stamps were being stolen and redeemed fraudulently or resold through criminal networks.

The solution the Post Office devised was elegantly simple: create state-specific overprints on stamps shipped to particular states. If stamps overprinted "Nebr." (Nebraska) or "Kans." (Kansas) appeared in circulation outside those states, postal inspectors could quickly identify them as stolen property.

In 1929, the Post Office overprinted a portion of the existing regular issue stamps (the Flat Plate Series of 1922-1926) with either "Kans." or "Nebr." in black ink and shipped them exclusively to those states.

The Monroe 10-Cent Value

The 10-cent denomination features a portrait of President James Monroe, part of the regular Presidential/Famous Americans series that formed the backbone of U.S. definitive postage in this era. Monroe is depicted in formal portraiture, consistent with the engraved style used throughout the series.

At 10 cents, this stamp was used primarily for international postage, registered mail, and special services. It was a working stamp, not a commemorative, which means the Nebraska overprint represents a relatively limited production of an already moderate-demand item.

Scott #679 Specifics

The overprint quality varies; some examples show sharp, well-centered "Nebr." printing while others are slightly shifted or inconsistent. Sharp, well-centered overprints command premiums over poorly applied examples.

Values and Condition

Scott #679 is among the moderately valued Nebraska overprint stamps:

For comparison, the Kansas overprint counterpart (Scott #669) has similar values. The most valuable individual Kansas/Nebraska overprint stamps are the 1-cent and 1.5-cent values, which have higher catalog values due to greater collector demand for low-denomination issues.

Inverted Overprints and Varieties

Some Nebraska overprint stamps exist with inverted overprints (the "Nebr." printed upside down). Inverted overprints are genuine errors and highly collectible, commanding substantial premiums over normally overprinted examples. If you encounter an overprint that appears inverted, have it expertized before drawing conclusions.

Double overprints (a second application of the "Nebr." impression) also exist for some values.

The Complete Kansas/Nebraska Set

Collecting a complete set of Kansas and Nebraska overprints (all denominations, both states) is a challenging and rewarding pursuit. The full set comprises 40 stamps (20 denominations x 2 states), with values ranging from 1/2 cent to 10 cents.

A complete set in mint NH condition with well-centered stamps is a significant achievement. PSE or Philatelic Foundation certification is recommended for high-value individual stamps and for complete sets to be offered at auction.

Historical Significance

The Kansas and Nebraska overprint experiment was not repeated. The Post Office eventually concluded that the overprints did not significantly reduce theft (determined criminals could simply sell overprinted stamps within the designated states) and the administrative complexity was not justified.

But the stamps remain as a documented, authorized postal experiment, collectible as both philatelic objects and historical artifacts of Depression-era postal security concerns.

Collecting Context

The 10-cent Monroe Nebraska overprint fits within several collecting approaches:

• Complete Nebraska overprint set (20 denominations)

• Complete Kansas and Nebraska overprint run (40 denominations)

• 10-cent Monroe across all its formats (regular, coil, booklet)

• Presidential Series complete mint NH collection

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