How Can You Tell The Difference?

How can you tell the difference between a common stamp, and a rare #193, or any of the american bank special printings (#192-#204) circa 1880.

They were all printed on soft porous paper. The 2¢ Jackson lists as only 416 being sold, so I'd say the odds are slim, to none.

Hey Stallzer

Also, the 1880 American Bank note special printing was issued as NGAI and I think not postally used.
Ron

To answer your question, paraphrasing Bookman, the first thing you need to learn when collecting bank notes is the ability to tell within 95% the difference in the papers. There are three easy ways of doing this and after a little practice you will note the difference. The first is the light test, look through the stamp into a bright light. If the stamp paper looks slightly translucent and even then it is "hard paper". If it look thicker and appears coarse then it is soft. Next, is the snap test. Hold the stamp between your thumb and index finger and snap the edge back and forth. The hard paper will make a crisper sound. Lastly by far the easiest, look at the perforation tips, soft paper stamps will look fuzzy with paper fibers going all over the place, hard paper gives a cleaner tear.
Hope this helps
Ron

Ron, that was a gorgeous post! Thank you! I was not the one who originated the post, but just reading your instructions made me feel a little more confident about identifying my stamps!

Thanks again,

Lynn