The 1861 12¢ Washington stamp was printed in black ink, with gray black and very dark black examples known. Because of its color, cancellations don’t tend to detract from its appeal. However, the color also makes U.S. #69 relatively easy to clean. As a result, some are known to have been cleaned, regummed, and passed as unused stamps. Mystic’s experts examine each stamp carefully and guarantee its authenticity.