A29 Mint And Used Collection Of 11

Hi all. Here is our collection of A29. The single shown is a mint example hinged but with good gum. It is unmarked. Any thoughts as to the Scott #. The picture of 10 used A29s are also mostly unmarked, however the last one is marked 70c.

If I am to understand correctly, these all have to be some varient of #70 or #78. Is this correct? These pics are straight off the scanner, no color changes. I know it is difficult to detect color differences from the scan, but feel free to give your best shot. Should these all be expertised? I am thinking to at least send the mint example in, and the 70c labeled example(I realize the 70c is not worth $2250 or even close in that condition, but I am trying to mark the SCV for general categorization purposes).

Hello Johnny,

Not an expert by any means, but my Scott Specialized has a myriad of
colors for A29 including:

red lilac, brown lilac, steel blue, violet, pale gray violet, lilac, grayish lilac, gray and blackish violet

If the 70c refers to the Scott listing, this is called a violet, thin paper. It catalogs at $35,000 mint, $2250 Used.

Other options include Scott 99 or 109.

FYI, here are 3 reference files I've picked up along the way. Expertization for a 70c is an absolute must, due to the scarcity of that stamp. I think the only way you'll know for sure is to have them ID'd by either Bill Weiss for $5 each or APS for $5 each. With Weiss, you can get a color cert for each for $25.

70-78 reference #1:


70-78 reference #2:


70-78 reference #3 (from William Langs):


One I can ID fairly easily is 70a, and I don't think you have one in your lot. I think they're all mostly from the 78 family, which all look grayer than the 70 family. Hope this helps, Ray

Very nice collection with many shades and colors. But it seems to me that unless there is some serious fading or other color changing damage, it is most likely not a 70c. The stamp in question is quite gray. However, violet does have lots of red in it and red is very susceptible to serious fading under certain conditions.

Raymac, awesome! Thanks! I am still unsure, but it is good to have a color reference. The mint example looks kind of green/grey to me, so that one really has me confused. Any chance it is in the 99 or 109 category. This looks like more material to get ID'd from Weiss.

Not possible to be 99 or 109.
99 would have a grill-- your stamp isn't grilled.

109 would have to be on very white paper, and a strong clear impression- remember that it would have been a "special printing". Yours isn't.

If I was a betting man, I'd bet on 78 or 78b......

Good luck!
Ray

I.D aside, that is just an amazing collection of those you have! I'm jealous!

Johnny,
You have a nice assortment of 70-78's. Some of them are really well centered which is difficult for this issue.
I would take them time to send the right four on the top and the bottom four out for positive ID. At $5.00 each, it won't hurt you.

Absolutely wonderful accumulation and how did you ever make out on these? I'd be curious to know! (I do realize this is an old post too!) :)