Roman Numeral Cancels

In his listing of New York numeral cancels on large BankNotes, James Cole includes a number of Roman numeral types, such as the negative XII illustrated here. There appear to be a few styles for that number. But Cole does not list a Roman numeral XIX such as the one below. Does anyone know anything about the relative scarcity of these two markings? I see the 12 far more frequently than the 19, which I don't recall seeing elsewhere.

These facts lead me to ask about the significance and signification of these Roman numeral choices. Did they represent the same things as their Arabic numeral counterparts (postal stations/divisions) or were they more fanciful than that?

Followed your posting and responses of Frajola's board. This is on E-bay now if you've an interest in it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/19th-Centur...em5b0b63702d

Thank you for the heads up. A nice clean strike. In view of what they were saying about the numbers range for the Roman numerals, I'm not sure it's a Roman numeral 20, but it is a cancel I have on a stamp yet not on a cover. We'll give it a try.

Knowing absolutely nothing about this subject, it seems R. Rhodes is saying there were only 1-14 "Slots/Windows" available for use? I guess that should be easy enough to verify? Anyway, you should be able to pick up that cover at a very reasonable cost. Good luck!

Essayk... I'm certainly no expert in the field, but when I see this
pattern, the first thing that comes to mind is the freemasons...

Disi, I think you're right. I had thought of this type of cancel as a circular geometric, but now that I look closer, I see that Cole lists a couple of similar designs as a negative Masonic square & compass, and Skinner & Eno has a bunch of them. Some are far more clearly Masonic than others, of course.

That is a very well known negative Masonic fancy cancel.

Well the dust has settled.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/391033090093
Was the cost reasonable?


I rather anticipated that. Good material is getting pricey even on ebay. Investment portfolios are being built just now, and the scouts are combing every possible source.