In order to help finance the Civil War, the U.S. government collected a few cents from every official transaction that involved the exchange of money. For instance, the government collected revenue from the sale of deeds, mining claims, mortgages, insurance policies, receipts, playing cards, and, of course, stocks and bonds. Initially, revenue was collected by attaching adhesive revenue stamps to documents. Revenue stamps are plentiful on checks, drafts, and warrants.

It quickly became apparent that adhesive stamps were cumbersome, so Congress enacted a law effective October 1, 1862 allowing revenue stamps to be pre-printed on certain kinds of documents.

Over the years, the numbers of different kinds of imprinted revenues grew dramatically. In the U.S., stamp collectors pay substantial values for rare varieties.

Stamp collectors refer to the different varieties of imprinted revenues using the nomenclature developed by Scott Publishing Company. Official numbering can be found in annual editions of the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps.

Another reference useful to stock and bond collectors is the Field Guide to Revenue Stamped Paper - part 7, Stocks, Bonds, RR tickets by B.J. Castenholz.

Currently, eight varieties (and several sub-varieties) are known on railroad stocks and bonds. Be aware that some varieties are highly sought-after by stamp collectors. Consequently, collectible values of some certificates are much higher than normal to the stock and bond hobby.

Many imprinted revenues have varieties known with additional stipulations printed on or near the image. For instance, many have additional text that reads something like "Good only for bank check". Such varieties are uncommon or unknown on stocks and bonds, but may appear on related collectibles. Please consult the latest edition of Scott's catalog for details.

THESE impressions are foreign revenues. They are fairly common on bonds from U.S. railroad companies because many of those bonds sold in Europe. I have not found evidence that they either enhance or decrease collectible values of North American certificates.
British revenues	French revenue

With the help of revenue specialist, Eric Jackson, I have compiled a list of imprinted revenues you are likely to find on U.S. financial documents. Please be aware that presence of many revenue imprints will dramatically affect collectible values.

Scott Type A rectangular design with numeral "2" 22 mm wide x 25 mm tall 2¢, known in black, orange, purple, green none recorded on railroad certificates

Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of revenue on document.

Scott Type B eagle looking left with wings raised 31 mm wide x 48 mm tall 2¢, known in black and several colors none recorded on railroad certificates

Click for view of revenue on document.

Scott Type C Washington in circle looking left with long panel behind (similar to image on U.S. quarter) 109 mm wide x 49 mm tall 2¢, known in orange, brown, red, yellow, and green none recorded on railroad certificates

Click for view of revenue on document.

Scott Type D Franklin in oval looking left, circular designs left and right, small '2's above and below vignette 80 mm wide x 43 mm tall 2¢, known in orange, brown, red, and yellow none recorded on railroad certificates

Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of revenue on document.

Scott Type E Franklin in oval looking left on tall rectangular background, '2's in all corners 28 mm wide x 50 mm tall 2¢, known in orange, brown, red, and yellow none recorded on railroad certificates

Click for view of revenue on document.

Scott Type F Franklin in circle looking left, large '2's in circles left and right 56 mm wide x 34 mm tall 2¢, known in orange and yellow none recorded on railroad certificates

Click for view of revenue on document.

Scott Type G Liberty in oval looking right, '2's above and below vignette, diamond shaped-design 80 mm wide x 48 mm tall 2¢, known in orange and yellow none recorded on railroad certificates

Click for view of revenue on document.

Scott Type H eagle in circle with raised wings on rock facing right, '2's above and below vignette 32 mm wide x 50 mm tall 2¢, known in orange none recorded on railroad certificates

Click for view of revenue on document.

Scott Type I head and shoulders view of Washington looking slightly left, '2's in four corners 20 mm wide x 23 mm tall 2¢, known in orange none recorded on railroad certificates

Click for view of revenue on document.

Scott Type J bust of Washington looking right, small '2's at left and right ends of imprint 105 mm wide x 40 mm tall 2¢, known in orange and red none recorded on railroad certificates

Click for view of revenue on document.

Scott Type K Romanesque bust of Washington looking left, '2's in circular lathework medallions left and right 84 mm wide x 33 mm tall 2¢, known in orange, brown and other colors none recorded on railroad certificates

Click for view of revenue on document.

Scott Type L Romanesque bust of Washington looking left, small '2's left and right 50 mm wide x 33 mm tall 2¢, known in orange, green, brown and other colors none recorded on railroad certificates

Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of revenue on document.

Scott Type M head of Washington in circle looking left, large '2's left and right 68 mm wide x 37 mm tall 2¢, known in orange, yellow, green, and gray none recorded on railroad certificates Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of revenue on document.

Scott Type N large '2' in center oval, eagle with shield looking left at left, Civil War ship (the Monitor) at right 108 mm wide x 48 mm tall 2¢, known in orange and brown none recorded on railroad certificates

Click for view of revenue on document.

Scott Type O Liberty in oval center looking left with staff and Liberty Cap, shield with 1871 in circle left, '2' and laurel leaves in circle right (similar to U.S. coin of era) 75 mm wide x 35 mm tall 2¢, known in orange none recorded on railroad certificates Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of revenue on document.

Scott Type P Lincoln in tall frame 32 mm wide x 49 mm tall

RN-P1 green 5¢ Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of revenue on document. RN-P2 brown 5¢ Click for view of revenue on document. RN-P5 orange 5¢ Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of revenue on document.

Scott Type Q bust of James Madison looking right, tall design with '5's in all corners 28 mm wide x 56 mm tall

RN-Q1 orange 5¢ Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of revenue on document. RN-Q2 brown 5¢ Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of this exceedingly rare revenue on document.

Scott Type R Lincoln 32 mm wide x 49 mm tall 10¢, known in red, brown and orange

RN-R1 brown 10¢ Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Only FIVE examples known, all on bonds of the Lamoille Valley Montpelier & St Johnsbury & Essex County Railroad Companies of Vermont. Click for view of revenue on document.

Scott Type S bust of Washington looking left, small '10's in all corners 33 mm wide x 54 mm tall

RN-S1 orange 10¢ Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of revenue on document. RN-S2 orange 10¢

Scott Type T eagle looking left with wings raised 33 mm wide x 40 mm tall

RN-T1 black 25¢ RN-T2 green 25¢ Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of this very scare revenue on document. RN-T3 red 25¢ Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of this revenue on document. RN-T4 orange 25¢ Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of this revenue on document.

Scott Type U head of Franklin looking left, large '25's in lathework circles left and right 126 mm wide x 65 mm tall

RN-U1 orange 25¢ Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of this revenue on document. RN-U2 brown 25¢ Click for view of this revenue on document

Scott Type V Lincoln 32 mm wide x 41 mm tall

RN-V2 brown 50¢ Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of this revenue on document. RN-V4 orange 50¢ Click for view of this revenue on document.

Scott Type W bust of Washington in circle looking left, tall design 34 mm wide x 73 mm tall

RN-W2 orange $1 Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of this revenue on document. RN-W6 pink $1 Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of this revenue on document.

Scott Type X Liberty in oval center looking left with staff and Liberty Cap, four '1's left and right of vignette 68 mm wide x 38 mm tall 1¢, known in orange, yellow and other colors known mainly from railroad parlor car tickets none recorded on railroad certificates

RN-X4a orange $1 Image courtesy Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps Click for view of this revenue on document.