Scott Type VII 528B Red Broken Plate

I asked about this stamp a few days ago as s500 disi12 ided it as 528b.thanks Is the flaw on the back of head common? Is it just a .20 cent stamp

With the perfs cutting into the design from being so off-centered, to me, yes.

I don't know if the notch out of the hairline at the back of his head is a constant plate flaw, but does look like it could be. In order for that notch to appear, some part of the plate would need to break off (at least two hair lines)and that should show in other examples. But no one has spoken up as yet, I'd hang on to it until I knew for sure. Maybe my comments will stir someone to add additional comments.

The offset plate making process starts with a large negative made by photographing a complete sheet of 400 stamps. The plate impression is captured by exposing emulsion on the plate to strong light through the negative similar to making a contact print. When the plate is "developed", the exposed parts of the emulsion remain while the unexposed parts are washed away.

After the plate is wrapped around the plate cylinder on the press, ink is transferred to the plate and then to a transfer roller and in turn to the paper. While it is possible for the plate to be damaged and lose some printed area, adding to the printed area either occurred because of a fleck on the negative or extraneous ink ending up on the transfer roller. It would seem like a fleck on the negative is more likely. Several fairly complete discussions of the offset printing process exist on the web. The Wikipedia article includes a diagram: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offset_printing

Clark

What about the mark in the toga button?