design and engrave the new Postal Note (Type IV). No major changes were required during American's four-year contract. The only change noted during ABNCo's contract was the decade change on the date line from "188___" to "189___." All Postal Notes issued with the American Bank Note Company logotype are Type IV. The third and final Postal Note engraving and printing contract extended from September 1891 to June 30, 1894. Dunlap & Clarke of Philadelphia won the competition. Their design, unchanged during the length of their contract, is catalogued as Type V. Between 1883 and 1894, some 70.8 million Postal Notes were issued, used as intended, then destroyed. Approximately 1,500 have survived for modern collectors and historians. Thanks to the government's publicity, the first and final designs are the most "common" notes. No publicity was produced for the other design changes. Type III notes are the design rarities of the series. Postal note identification guide The following brief descriptions will help you quickly identify any Postal Note issued during the 1883-1894 era. The name of the producing bank note company is always found at the bottom center of the note's front side. Type I: Engraved and printed by the Homer Lee Bank Note Company; printed on yellow paper. Type II: Engraved and printed by the Homer Lee Bank Note Company; printed on creamy white paper; the paying city is hand-written. Type II-A: Engraved and printed by the Homer Lee Bank Note Company; rubber-stamped or hand-written "ANY MONEY ORDER OFFICE" appears on the paying office line. Type III: Engraved and printed by the Homer Lee Bank Note Company; "ANY MONEY ORDER OFFICE" engraved in straight line. Type IV: Engraved and printed by the American Bank Note Company. Type V: Printed by Dunlap & Clarke of Philadelphia. Postal note stamps This was a series of 18 stamps available at U.S. post offices from 1945 to 1951. They were used for sending small amounts of money. Printed in grey and black with a simple uniform design, they ranged in value from 1 to 90 cents. Their Scott catalogue designations are PN 1 to 18. In used condition collectors can purchase all of them at very low cost. References Currencies of the United States Historical currencies of the United States Postal orders United States Postal Service