How Can You Tell?

Right up front I'm a coin guy and know nothing about stamps. On a whim I picked up a box of old stamps at a garage sale, after a few weeks ordered the Mystic stamp catalouge and started cross referencing some of the U.S. items.
In most cases it's easy to tell which stamps or which, but man the 2cent Washington ones got me puzzled.
I've either got a very expensive one with the perforations all around it or the very inexpensive one. Going with my luck I'll say it's el cheapo.....

Yeah, those are tricky, to say the least.

I'll let others address your question, but let me throw in a word of advice...

Use the Mystic Catalog as a reference, but don't purchase any stamps from them until you're a more experienced consumer. Most people here will tell you their prices on stamps are way too high. Others will tell you there are deals to be had on supplies, albums, etc. For now, caveat emptor.

KirkS

Use 1847usa web site to help you through the 2c washington stamps. It will help you I.D. The different types from I,II,III

Yes I was a little surprised that Mystic thru the stamps in with catalouge, hope it's not one of those deals that's going to show up every month.....although they did give me the catalouge for free. Thank you also 597596 for the lead, I'll check it out.

Yeah, those stamps aren't free -- they're called approvals. They send them with the catalog for your inspection. You pay for the ones you want to keep (I recommend you buy none of them) and send the rest back.

You are required to send the approvals back. Very easy to miss the wording and the wording varies, but it is written in the fine print somewhere in the original offer they will include approvals with the catalog.

And yes, make sure you put a note asking them to discontinue sending approvals -- that you are not interested.

Just think of the millions of parents that got the collection letters from Paulie and Guido the credit managers at _____________ stamp company back in the 60's and 70's. I know mine did

fred... hahahaha you make me laugh...