Scott 499 Defective Plate

I thought this was scott 500 but after reading post here I think its
a well inked 499. the other question is the flaw at the back of head. I tried to find info on this on web but no luck.any help. Thanks

Hi, mhoenecke.... welcome to the forum...

Your stamp does not appear to be either Flat Plate 499 or 500...
it appears to be an offset Type VII 528B...

The spacings of the perf tips and holes are a bit confusing as
the counts also lead towards #463, which is a perf 10, but the
impression and detail almost certainly is offset as opposed to
a flat plate copy...

If you could upload another image with a perf gauge lined up
with your stamp, a positive determination can be made...

according to scott 528b type V11 has more dots on lip and top of head

If you perform a foil test, you will be able
to always tell the difference between flat plate
which is a raised ink image and an offset...

By laying foil over a flat plate and gently rubbing
your finger over the image, flat plate will transfer
a physical image to the foil...

With regards to the dots... they are an exact match
for offset, as well as other characteristics of the
528B in particular...

thanks I'll try the foil, The other question was the flaw at hair lower back of head. thanks

I tried the foil ,you were right thankyou now I know how to check that thanks

I learned this trick over 60 years ago, how to determine difference without using foil.

Just run your finger nail across the stamp, if it's an offset printed stamp it will be smooth.

If it's a flat press printed stamp you will feel the ridges of the ink.

Of course don't go overboard with finger nail pressure.

But after identifying hundreds of either offset or flat press printed stamps, you will know right a way the difference with just looking. Experience counts!

Dave