US Scott 135? Or Maybe 157c? Help With ID

Hello All,

Okay more questions from the novice. I think the first picture of the M stamp is number 146 because I fail to see any hint of the diagonal line that would be present to be a 157. Again this is my best guess.

On the following two pictures are the stamp in question at the moment (unless I also have the first wrong as well). I thought this was the 135 considering how light the grill was, but then I believe I see a tiny diagonal line beneath the scroll on this one which could make it the 157c, if the grill is the correct size, which I believe is the J. grill which is supposed to be 7x9 and 1/2 mm. I think this is real close as the only mm measurement device I have currently is one that is printed on the inside cover of my stamp wallet. (I really need to get one)

Any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks.










I found it interesting that someone in the past wrote the date of 1873 on the back of the stamp. The stamp came from a lot that was just stamps thrown together and nothing identified as far as Scott numbers go. This would be the right date for the 157, but again I am no where near sure on this.

Both are National printings 146 and 135 with I grill. Nice centering on the 135.

Thank you Russ for the quick response and ids on these. I can mark them off my list now. I really need some more grills so I can do some actual studying and learning on them. As far as I am now through what I have gotten to I only have one other grilled stamp, so hopefully I have more around here to start comparing. Or yikes..I may have to try to buy some more somehow. Not to sure how the wife will feel about that though.

Hi sirruspoe. This thread, https://goscf.com/t/13532&whichpage=1, has some good images showing that very pesky secret mark on this design (if I do say so myself).

Hmmm there are some great images right there in that thread. Thank you Otto for the link and information. These will be put to use.