Due to a postage increase on August 1, 1916, the Reichspost issued three stamps of the definitive series "Germania". The 15 Pfennig value was printed in 2 shades of olive brown. The 3 Pfennig value issued earlier (1903 as “peace print") and also in 2 color shades in 1915 as “war print" had similar colors. In any case, there were customer complaints about the danger of confusion. There was also complaints for the 7 1/2 Pfennig stamp but to a lesser degree.
The Reichspost initially denied the complaints as groundless. However, as the protests increased, the Reichspost felt compelled to issue the 15 Pfennig value again in May 1917 with a different color (3 shades of purple).