3 Cent Stamp - Learning

Hello to all. I am reviewing several of my 3 cent stamps hoping to extend my knowledge. I came across the item below which contains a line connecting the upper right triangle to the upper right diamond block. I would like to know if this a distinguishing characteristic of a specific plate position or if there are several positions that have this added line.

The magnified photo notes 22L1(L)but this is may be incorrect. The second photo is the full stamp.







Thanks for any input.

This is a normal stamp. It is difficult to study what a normal impression should look like because so few were printed clearly enough, especially before the plates started to wear and lose the fine detail.

Hobsun013,

22L1L it the correct position for your stamp, but as Sinclair replied, this is not a Top Label & Upper Right Diamond Block Joined at Top variety. What you're seeing is the end of the recut line at the top of the label. The right side of the label block just below is worn away to some extent.

Here's an example of the variety on 52L2L:

Sinclair / Classic Coins - thanks for the input. I agree that in my example the Top Label and the Diamond Block are not attached but the recut of the top label extends just a bit since the top label is partially worn away.

In the example from Classic coins I can see clearly the two lines (one joining the Top Label and the Upper diamond block and the second extending from the upper right triangle to the bottom corner of the Upper right diamond block). I am interested in how that second line is described. I call it joining of the right triangle to right diamond block - but I am sure this is wrong. Is this line not even a connection of the two (triangle and diamond block) but better described as the inner frame line extending up to the diamond block just outside the right triangle.

When I first looked at many of my examples this line did not seem to exist even when the stamp had a inner frame lines (under much closer examination/magnification it does seems to appear very faintly). In some cases the line is clear and distinct (as in the examples provided above) but in others it is very difficult to see. Is it better to say that in these cases (when it is not showing up well) that it has worn away or simply not visible for some reason.

I think I answered my own question but I guess the way to bring this to closure is to ask - does the presence, non-presence or clarity of this line ever come into play in order to confirm the plating of a stamp. Finally, I notice that on the left side, I have not encountered an example where this line shows up. Is this consistent as well.


Thanks in advance for your help. I always learn something when I ask questions and the real fun in when I can then go back and review the live examples to align with what I learn.

Hobsun013