HI Folks Are These All US Sramp #65? Not Again :(

Ok folks, going by Toms scans my stamp is not a 94 and not a 88. Those two do not have any grill on the top of Washington's head. This stamp I have does and under direct light from top of the head down I now count four faint point rows one of them being of 13 down that go into the Cds all the way to his shoulder. At the top of the head, a row of 4 at the top followed by a row of 7 then a row of 9. Then it thins out going down further as stated one being 13. There seems to be a loose point on his shoulder to. The foil trick did noting but direct light did. Now about the top right of the stamp I think this will reduce the vale. Also I want to list this for sale as having a grill, then the buyer could investigate further. I just don't know if I should state it might be an 85c if I list it as is. I don't know if it is a good idea to soak it as the cover ties it to 1868. Thoughts?

Be careful drawing a conclusion on the basis of where the grill is positioned on my examples -- the key is the grill's size and not its location on the stamp (with the exception of the A grill which covers the entire stamp).

If you're not certain as to the stamp's identity, I'd recommend against suggesting that it might be an 85C in your sale listing. I'd also recommend leaving the stamp on cover as that will broaden the universe of potential buyers.

If you believe the stamp might be an 85C then I think it would be worth your while to have the stamp expertized.

Lastly, if you're able to identify the extent of the grill under direct light, have you tried measuring its size (height and width) using identifiable landmarks on the stamp?

Taking a series of photos like this at different angles under direct light may help you more clearly identify the extent of the grill both vertically and laterally.

Will try to measure the grill. Having it expertized is an expensive option and probably not worth doing if in case it does turn out to be a 94 or 88. As it is stained top right I will just sell it as is and mention there is a faint grill but not list a number. The buyer can determine that by themselves. I appreciate all the help here everyone, I would not have spotted the grill. I will leave the stamp on the cover as recommended. I don't expect this to sell for more than $10 but lets see how it goes.

Tom-- do you have a cert for the 83? 83 must be points up and was only printed in the dull rose color. There were some varieties with points down, but they're rarer than the normal "C" Grill.

Bad copy here, but at least I've got one, and didn't spend a fortune. Certed from Weiss.


On this picture also, the points look down, but they're definitely up (pyramids are raised on the face, not the back). This is more like the color of the 83.

Ray

Ray,

I sure do -- not a bad find for under $7 (before the expertizing cost).

Duncanvr, under no circumstance would I lift that Stamp off of the cover. You can have it done by an expert but the re-attachment method is hinging it back on and personally I'm not a big fan of this. You could send it in for identification as it might make a huge difference. Otherwise I'd list it as the less expensive Stamp if you cannot verify the exact catalog number and there is already one seller on ebay that lists ever 65 as a 65 or Possible 64? and by adding the question mark he justifies the mind game of hoping bidders will bid it as a possible 64 at which point he alleviates the "Not as described" retribution from a buyer who receives a 65 instead of a 64.

Hi stallzer I am not going to send it into an expert as that is expensive. And it may just be a $3 stamp in the end, especially with the corner damage. Don't worry I am not removing it from the cover. I am just going to list like this 'US Cover 1868 With faint Grill on Stamp' In the description write Scott number not known, probably 94 or 88. Stamp stained top right corner with. Faint grill detected, stamp needs further investigation to be properly identified. I am going to steer clear of mentioning 85C or any of the expensive numbers. That way I will avoid the 'not as described' email which no seller wants. And grill collectors of this type of stamp who want this may just buy it to see what it really is. I don't expect they would pay more than $10 for it.

WOW....
You picked that out of a bin for $7??

Word: Windfall
Definition: Picking a cover out of a bin at a show that has a 3c 1861 rose on it, and recognizing that it's a C grill with points up.

Unbelievable, and from the date on the cert, belated congratulations!

I spent $85 for my bad copy, but even at $85, I was thrilled to get it.

Thanks for showing this one-- Ray

Ray,

I didn't find it at a show -- I picked it up during an ebay drive by with less than 30 minutes before the lot closed. Below is the only image of the lot that the seller had posted and there was no description of the stamps in the listing.



The final outcome was that my winning bid of about $36 bought me three Scott 73s, the Scott 83, and a Scott 87. It was one of those once in a lifetime finds.

Steve

Hi folks the ad for the cover with the grill stamp is now up in my store using ebay.com if you want to go after it for the grill the cover is going cheap. look for this description or number. US Cover 1868 With Stamp, (Stamp Has Faint Grill) Stockbridge Cds - 180889610663 thanks all