1916 Coil - Carmine Type II Or III?

Hello all, I'm trying to figure out if this is a Type II or Type II. I'm also a little bit suspicious of the cancellation mark, so if someone could help me with this I'd really appreciate it. I've inherited a huge collection and this is all greek to me. Thanks!

The cancellation is legitimate, there were a few machine cancels that had straight lines. I do not have my catalog with me, so I could be wrong, but looks like type 2 (no dark shading under neck ribbon).

Thanks, smauggie! You cleared up my questions! Have a great evening.

Is it watermarked?

Ughhh... how do I check if it's watermarked, Al? (so much to learn about stamps!) LOL Thanks for your help!

You need either watermark detection fluid or if your OK with using it (I do) Ronson lighter fluid will work and a black glass or plastic surface to put the stamp on. Put the stamp face down onto the black surface, place a couple of drops of fluid(enough to completely dampen it) onto the stamp. If there is a watermark, it will be a single line watermark (as opposed to a double-line) of one of the letters USPS (or a partial of one of these letters). The fluid makes the letter stand out as a darkened line compared to the rest of the paper.

Do you have access to a Scott U.S. Specialized catalogue? There is a section in front explaining Watermarks. If not, go to www.1847usa.com and read up on watermarks at that site.

If the stamp is a type II and has a watermark, it would be a #454. If there is no watermark, it would be a #491. #454 is pretty common but the #491 isn't and has a pretty high cat. value. The cancel covers up one important area on the stamp that help determine if it is a type II or type III, but it does appear to be type II as best I can tell. I believe its clearly a rotary press stamp, and if it turns out to be a type III, it would be a #455 or #492 depending upon whether or not its watermarked paper--both fairly common stamps.

Single line watermarks are sometimes hard to see, especially when only a small part of the letter is present on the stamp.

It absolutely looks like Type III to me. Look at the fold of the ribbon, and there is the extra marks on both sides. Type III.

Thanks, Ray

Thank you, Al. This will be my weekend project then. The blonde will learn to check for watermarks on stamps. Let's hope I don't light myself on fire in the process. :-) I hope you'll all be patient with me. I've inherited thousands upon thousands of stamps here and I don't know squat about them. But give me points.. I learned to detect what plate my GB Penny red is today! Look out!

Woohoo! There goes a stamp collector!

Woman on a mission now. I blame all of you! :-)