In 1851, the postage rates were reduced to 3c if you prepaid your letter. If you sent your letter unpaid the recipient had to pay 5c to receive it. This necessitated a new issue of postage stamps including a 3c George Washington stamp.
A classic Washington bust design was pictured on the 3c stamp which was used until the beginning of the Civil War in both imperforate (1851) and perforated versions (18.
Examples shown are from East Wallingford (unusual oval) and Middlebury (blue paid cancel).
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