What Are These Numbers?

Question regarding these Bulk-Rate stamps. The top scan shows what I believe is a plate number (A77777) at the bottom of 2602 6.0. The bottom scan shows a micro size "2" below the left wheel of 1902 3.4. Can anyone tell me the significance of the number? How rare are these? Thank you.

Frankie

frankie, yes those are the plate numbers. Neither of the p;ate are high value though. I don't have my hard copy cat with me. The 2002 on my computer list $2.75 and $4.00.

Frankie,

The #2 is the plate number. The 2008 Durland Standard Plate Number Catalog shows a value of $6 for a plate # strip of 5 of the U.S. Scott 1902a (untagged, precancel style 7). Scott 2011 US Specialized values the plate # strip of 5 at $4.

Steve

They are the plate number(s) used to print the coils. In the olden days, the plate numbers were printed in the selvage area and were trimmed off when manufacturing the coils from the press sheets. Miscut coils from this era showing part or all of the plate number usually command a modest premium.

In the early 1980s, BEP changed their approach and began printing the plate number directly on the stamp area of coils. The plate number appears at varying intervals, typically from 15 to 48 stamps (depending upon issue; also, of course a couple of exceptions).

Some specific plate numbers are exceeding rare or have yet to be found even though the print quantities have been documented. However, the great majority of plate numbers only command minor premium.

For the 2 stamps you showed, the A77777 is fairly common. Plate #2 on the buggy has a minor premium (a few bucks), but your stamp appears to be miscut by the affixing machine so it will be worth significantly less.

The wholesale prices for common used plate number coil singles is about 10c each, even though Scott may catalog many of them $1+. There are a few of them that are $50+. I only recall running into 1 of those back when I collected used plate number coils.

The catalog prices for the bulk rate eagle/shield used PNCs are much higher than actual market prices. This is due to the popularity of that particular issue. It was one the first issues with a large number of multi-colored plate number combinations. I remember how fun it was. Then BEP did it again, and again, and again... and PNC collectors dropped out en mass. PNC collecting never fully recovered.

Except for a couple of those eagle/shields, many of the combinations exist in plentiful quantities and can be acquired for much less than catalog. You are better off acquiring many combinations in bulk, and then much later on trying to purchase specific plate numbers.

The plate #2 for the 7.4c buggy is not as common, especially not miscut. So the slightly higher catalog price is justified. The non-precanceled 7.4c buggy with plate #2 in VF used condition is rather difficult to find, especially on cover. The premium on that stamp is REAL. You have the pre-canceled version.

On your first examples of Scott #2602 (Eagle & Shield) thought you might be interested in this excerpt from a U.S. Specialized Catalog of all of the plate numbers for that issue (quite a few) ... just keep in mind that this is from a 2002 catalog, so prices may have changed a bit:

Some of the prices will have gone up with the standard price increases. A couple of them might have gone down -- the more recent plate numbers (usually the higher plate numbers) tend to drop slightly in value as more used stamps show up.

The 2 plate number combinations that are hard to find will remain valuable because they ARE hard to find, even in mint condition.