Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) Imprint die proof on india paper

$300.00

Bureau of Engraving and Printing imprint die proof, 188x. Die number 4249. VF on india paper.


The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has its origins in legislation enacted to help fund the Civil War. In July 1861, Congress authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to issue paper currency in lieu of coins due to the lack of funds needed to support the conflict. The paper notes were essentially government IOUs and were called Demand Notes because they were payable “on demand” in coin at certain Treasury facilities. It was not until 1874 that the “Bureau of Engraving and Printing” was officially recognized in congressional legislation with a specific allocation of operating funds for the fiscal year of 1875.

From almost the very beginning of its operations, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing designed and printed a variety of products in addition to currency. As early as 1864, the offices which would later become the BEP made passports for the State Department and money orders for the Post Office Department. Passports are now produced by the Government Publishing Office. Other early items produced by the BEP included various government debt instruments, such as interest-bearing notes, refunding certificates, compound interest Treasury notes, and bonds. The production of postage stamps began in 1894, and for almost the next century the BEP was the sole producer of postage stamps in the country.


Note: this is an ORIGINAL early twentieth century print; not a reproduction or contemporary print. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.

Additional information

Year

188x

Condition

VF

Printer

BEP

Paper

india

Size

overall 4" x 1.25"

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