What's With Washington's Nose On SC 599?

Ok,

So this is the stamp I was talking about:

I have identified it as an Offset based on the guide on the link below:

http://www.jamesdire.net/W-F.html

Thanks Jamesd for that link.

Next I have identified it as a 528 Type Va.(Thanks Bill for 1847USA.com)

I am hoping my identification is right, there is a high chance for it to be incorrect as I am very new to this.

But I would like to know if the light number 6 line under the ear is a common occurrence or is this something by off chance.

Any help on the above post?

Mindpsyche, the offset stamps appear similar to the flat plate but there are some easy to distinguish differences. The line under the ear isn't one of them. If it appears as a "6" then it was probably because of the poor print quality. The USPS went to the offset printing because it had joined in WWI. Germany had been providing most of the inks and/or the metals and components in the inks. Offset printing are a bubble gum pinkish shade of carmine. Also the toga lines are heavy compared to the type I flat plate printing (the first offset has broken toga line but has strong double D lines of shading). Then the left "2" has several variations. All offset are un watermarked although once you've seen enough you won't waste watermarking fluid to check. All are perf 11 or imperf. If you perf a stamp and is an 11 then it could only be a couple of different stamps. The flat plate version is the Scott 499 type I and the Scott 500 type Ia. Type I with the weak and broken toga lines is easy to distinguish. The type Ia looks similar to the offset but the color is different. If in doubt though rub the foil and see if you get an impression. Seperating the offset printings are a little trickier. The way I do it is separate by the differences in the left "2". The first 2 variations of the offset have the broken line in the "2". The other three don't. The one you posted has a thin broken line in the "2". The 528 Va would have a continuous unbroken line. It looks like the type V because it has strong toga line. Finally if you are looking at the dots in the lines of shading on the nose remember a couple of things. The print quality was not very consistent. Also used items have been used and might be worn in spots. I use this as the last criteria when looking at the type !V & V stamps. Send me your address and I'll send you a set of used ones for your collection and also for reference in the future.

Hey Bill, thanks a lot for having a look. A lot of information there which is very helpful.

Thanks very much for the offer for sending the stamps. I will send you an email, if need be I can send you postage fee via paypal. I would be very grateful if you can send me a "template" stamp, which I can use as a template to tell the difference between flat and rotary.

Thanks again for all the help.