Presidential Issue

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1938 U.S. 2¢ Prexie stamp with precancel
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1938 U.S. 2¢ Prexie stamp with precancel

Prexies is the nickname given to the famous Presidential Issue of definitive postage stamps issued in the United States by the USPS in 1938. The series featured all 29 U.S. presidents through Calvin Coolidge, as small busts printed on solid-color designs through 50¢, then black on white with colored lettering for $1, $2, and $5 values. Additional stamps depicted Benjamin Franklin (1/2¢), Martha Washington (1 1/2¢), and the White House (4 1/2¢).

Many values were included just so that all presidents were on a stamp and did not necessarily correspond to a postal rate. One of the (difficult) games for Prexie collectors is to find a cover with, for instance, a single 16¢ stamp that pays a combination of rate and fees valid during the Prexies' period of usage. Many such covers remain to be discovered; some sellers on eBay have been surprised to discover a seemingly ordinary-looking cover bid up to several hundred dollars because it was one of the sought-after solo usages.

[edit] Dates of issue and Scott catalog number

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