I Want To Learn About Watermarks. What Do They Mean?

I would like to know whatever you guys can tell me about watermarks. I just started collecting stamps and would like to know if there are any on modern stamps? What are considered rare watermarks?

Thanks for the info in advance.
Kris

Here's a great explanation: http://www.1847usa.com/Watermarks.htm

Thank you I will check it out later tonight.

Kris

The easiest way for a beginner to see a watermark is using a watermark detector.
If you are serious about your stamps then I suggest buying a good watermark detector.
It will be a money well spent since a good one will last a lifetime

Ronsonol Lighter Fluid......cheapest and best to use to see watermarks.
A watermark detector is not always needed.
Soak the stamp in Ronsonol on a black approval card....you will see if a wm is present.
Allow to air dry, few seconds....walla.

They are a security device to discourage counterfeiting. The paper where the watermark shows is slightly thinner than the surrounding paper.

The US hasn't used them in decades, but they can still be found on modern stamps from British Commonwealth countries (and maybe others).

Thanks to all for the information. When I first asked I was assuming they were still being used. I kind of figured out they were not using them anymore on the link Mike posted. I always thought I heard they added value to stamps. Maybe this was wrong? If some do can any of you show some unusual ones to look for?

Thanks for the help.
Kris

Hi Kris,
The U.S. stamps have watermarks referred to as; #190 Single Line Watermark..The other is #191 Double Line Watermark. These two common watermarks pertain to the U.S. only. There is one other that was only on a few stamps and accidentally put on the wrong stamps, which is
USIR, used for the internal revenue department. That website has the information about the USIR watermark.
Stamps have different values based upon the watermarks they have, also if they don't have any. Each country has their own watermarks which vary. Gary

Thanks Gary,
Do you have any that are "special looking" or "rare".

Kris

Hi Kris, I found this 8 cent scott #272 stamp that could be a #272a. Apparently they used USIR watermarked paper for a few sheets of this stamp. Its really only recognizable if you find a stamp with an " I " or an " R". The one I've attached is the one in question. Frustratingly Fun. Gary

Some issues of stamps are only distinguishable from each other by having, or not having, a watermark. It does not follow that it is the watermarked one which is more valuable - it might just as easily be the unwatermarked one.

Often (VERY often) neither is particularly valuable. But in the few cases where a particular watermark(or lack thereof) is valuable, you stand a SLIGHTLY better chance of turning one up cheap since not everybody bothers to check them, whereas EVERYONE can see, for example, that an overprint is inverted.

I am guessing it is also not easy to prove what you have because they are not easy to photograph?

Gary, I think I can see the "I" but it also looks like there is part of an "R".

Thanks for sharing this Gary! Now I am going to be on a hunt for some lighter fluid and some old stamps!

Kris

Hi Kris, Your welcome. Here are a couple of Single line and Double line watermarks as they set in the watermark fluid. If you use ronsonol be sure the area is well ventilated. Gary

Thank you very much for the pictures and advice about ventilation. It will be fun looking at them. I am going to a shop here in town tomorrow and see what I can get for old stamps to look at. I will share pictures of the interesting watermarks I find, if any.

Kris

The watermark on the 272 looks like PART OF a you or S on a stamp with a thin.