Postal Stationary Design U91 Die 1, 2, Or 3?

The impressions below were scanned at the same time on the same horizontal plane of the scanner to minimize error. They are both brown-red and are design type U91, so they could be:

U406 (white paper)
U407 (amber)
U408 (oriental buff)
U409 (blue)
W410 (manila)

The brown-red 2c U91 designs are subtyped by the die used. There are 3 die types with subtle differences between each other. The information in the Scott catalog and elsewhere on the web that distinguishes between them is sparse. Die type 3 is somewhat easy to identify based on the circular center of the "O" in "TWO" and the "C" in "CENTS". Also die 3 prints have coarse lettering.

I'm confident that the example on the left is die 3. I do not know for certain what die is responsible for the image to the right.





1. On B, the bottom of the "S" is elongated to the left.

2. On B, the bust is larger width wise.

3. On B, the upper edge of the bust near the inner frame is rounded upwards slightly.

4. On B, the "O" in "TWO" is elliptical instead of circular. A circular center of the "O" is indicative of die 3.

5. On B, the negative space inside of the "C" in "CENTS" is elliptical. The "C" is also slightly shorter. A circular appearance indicates die 3.

6. On B, the bottom curve of the "S" in "CENTS" has a wider line.

7. On B, the right "2" has wider lines.

Some difference may be due to variances in the transfer from the master die to the working die.

Scott catalog states: "Die 2. Similar to 1 but hair in two distinct locks at top of head." I'm not sure what that means, but subject B is worn from use and it is difficult to see the hair lines in the imprint.

I don't believe that it is die 3. So die 1 or 2? Unfortunately, I don't have a confirmed die 1 example to compare to. All of the die 1 examples I've found have a less upward curved edge of the bust at arrow #3.

*Edited for clarity.

Good thread topic.

The catalog die descriptions are often found wanting. The Mercs are right up there in that category.

I think your right hand scan is a die 3.

Here is a Die 2. Note the left-right dividing line between the two "locks" (whats a "lock"?)



I am told (by the "experts") that if you can't make out the peculiar hair attributes, then its just a Die 1.

The real expert, Porter Venn, says the main way to tell a Die 1 from a die 3 is the roundedness of the head and the distance from the top of the head to the inner frame line. Based on that I figure you got a die 3 on the right.

I received this wisdom from Porter when I sent him a supposed Die 3 (absolutely circular "O") and he says that Die 1's have "O"'s that vary from oval to circular. Then he tells me about the head.

I wish the catalogs would spend a little time refining their definitions.

Edit: in the scan, the flaw in the tail of the right "2" is not a general attribute. It is a printing variety maybe only showing on this envelope (possibly on several), but is definitely not part of the die image.

Thank you for your reply. I've stared at the 5 examples of design U91 that I have for about an hour. Aside from a headache, I can now see some clear distinctions between dies 1, 2, and 3. Your posting of a clear picture of die 2 is absolutely better that anything that I've found on the web.

I need some time to process the differences, then I'll reply with what I've found.

Thanks again. You have been a great contributor of postal stationary information.

Note the edit to my post with the scan. It addresses the flaw in the right "2".