Possibly A Rough 103?

Moving back to the main topic...

See this 103 w/cert Langs is offering, for reference...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/103-XF-UNUS...em2c88706d58

Nice stamp. I just read that only 979 were sold.
That seems like a large percentage of CV for a stamp with no gum and F-VF?? centering.

I think so... but I disagree with the FVF...

This stamp is XF all around... well clear on all sides...

What are the identifying characteristics of a 103 ?

I can see the paper is very white and the impression is quite strong...

Wow. What a beautiful stamp!

The one "tell" I learned from members here, the star on the left cheek. It looks like a dark splotch to me. This stamp has it though.

I think your probably correct on the centering score. It does look closer to XF then F.

I've heard that 'tell' as well... and a stamp had been posted
in a previous discussion, and the 'star' was quite clear, but
I do not see it on this one...

I did find the previous discussion...

https://goscf.com/t/41379&SearchTer...tar,on,cheek

The "star" is found on all copies of 103, but is also found on some copies of #93 (F Grill), according to the Lane book on Black Jacks (p. 119). So a 103 has to have the star and has to have no grill.

ahhhh... got it... thanks...

I just put an offer in on a used copy of The Harry F. Allen Collection
of Black Jacks... waiting on seller...

Got the book... $16.50 with shipping... not too shabby... (smiling)

Thanks so much for the recommendation...

All 2c 1868-75 stamps printed from Plate No. 53 have the "Star on Cheek" plus 3 dots in upper left corner ornament (to right of left "2") and that plate was only used to print some "F" grill stamps (Scott #93) and the 1875 Special Printing (reissue) so of course, to be a #103, it can't have a grill. Actually, it's even easy to ID the 103 versus a #93 because of the much whiter paper, excellent impression and generally larger margins. The "secret marks" are a bonus for easy ID. Beware of proofs from Die III with fake perfs added offered as 103. Both the card proofs and india proofs from plate 53 can be used to fake #103. The india proofs will usually have fake gum also added and the card proofs will be shaved to get a stamp-like thickness then gum usually also added.

The 2c 1863-68 was my "first love" as a specialist collector and the author of the Allen Black Jack book (Maryette Lane) was my mentor who taught me how to exhibit. That book is still the best ever written on the subject.

Hi, Bill... that's all very helpful info... thank you for sharing...

I can't wait to get the book I ordered... I plan on reading it cover
to cover, as I am really getting more drawn in to Blackjacks...

Randall