Before digital transactions, the US Government used paper to document and tax every monetary exchange. Documentary revenue stamps proved taxes were paid on everything from legal documents to stock certificates.

Among these historic issues, the Scott R448 - the $1 Documentary Revenue Stamp from 1946 - holds a special place. These stamps capture a time when every official document left a physical trace of America’s financial life.

Post-War Documentary Stamp

The year 1946 marked the start of a new economic chapter. World War II ended, industry was shifting back to civilian production, and federal taxes were recalibrated to support a peacetime economy. The R448 series was part of this system; it was printed for the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to collect taxes on a wide range of transactions.

Unlike postal stamps used for mailing letters, US Revenue stamps were affixed to formal documents. Think: deeds, insurance, contracts, and official paperwork requiring official taxation or verification. Canceled revenue stamps on these documents served as legal evidence of the applicable taxes being paid.

Design and Detail

The R448's engraved design features a portrait of Levi Woodbury, a distinguished politician, attorney, and juror of the Jacksonian era. Distinctive typography and rich Carmine color convey the confidence of mid-century America. Collectors value this issue for its balance of elegance and practicality, showcasing official government design at its most deliberate.

The Breen Co. offers a connected strip of three Scott R448 stamps, a meaningful addition for any collection. Multiples like these help preserve continuity. Well-defined perforation lines, consistent color, and subtle plate variations contribute to the visual richness of vintage revenue stamps.

Why Collect Revenue Stamps?

While postage stamps are often the focus of stamp collectors nationwide, revenue stamps offer an equally fascinating window into US history. They carry stories of law, commerce, and everyday life. Each issue reflects the priorities of its time, whether funding wars, regulating industries, or economic shifts, and is recorded one document at a time.

For collectors, revenue stamps like the Scott R448 combine affordability and historical depth. They are tangible artifacts illustrating the country’s financial development. Although the R448 was not used for mail, it verified America's official paper trail - the backbone of commerce and bureaucracy. Today, owning such a piece offers a direct connection to that history.

Discover and acquire the Scott R448 $1 Documentary Revenue Strip of Three today. Make this piece of American history part of your own collection.