Why Doesn't This Benjamin Franklin 20¢ Have A 12 Perf?

The stamp is perf'ed. 11 on all sides. Perf. 11 is an unwatermarked issue. If you are seeing a watermark, please post a scan or picture clearly showing the watermark. It is not perf'ed. 10 at top nor bottom and 11 or 12 at the sides.

This stamp has gauge 11 perforations - no need to check for a watermark - cheers!

Well, thank you all for your statements. Peter..it took a while to get it viewed.. This is the scan showing the stamp on a gauge. This is what we were speaking about with the bottom perf.

The picture you've showed is an improper way to use the gauge. The solid round blue dots should be lined up inside the perforation holes on the stamp. When the stamp is places over the blue dots, with the dots inside the perf. holes, wherever the dots align most perfectly with the perf. holes, that the perfs. you have. This stamp will align most perfectly with the blue dots designating perf. 11. If you wish to use the lines rather than the dots, then the lines must be centered into the middle of the perf. hole. As you can see, the lines showing beneath the perf holes do not align with the center of the perf. holes.

There is no watermark seen on it, checked with Ronsonil...but a 515d is what we are wondering if this may be this stamp. A 515d is a Perf. 10 top OR bottom of a 20 c light ultra stamp including has to be a used stamp. Not many are available.

improper way? well, you can try to get a photo of it.not that easy.lol

Jiminy Christmas!. Sorry, but the picture you posted clearly shows the stamp is NOT a perf 10, at least on the bottom. Do that for the top also if you don't believe the advice you have already been given. But top looks perf 11 to everyone here. Just measure it and be done with it.

Honestly, I agree that the top looks like an 11, but the bottom looks differently..others expressed the same..i am not the only one that thought this way..so I will have another person view it and just hand the stamp and and tell me what the perfs are on it without saying a word..if someone says it is a 10 again, then I will tell them to show me how they came to that conclusion.....one more assessment won't hurt..smiles

P.S. love Jimney Christmas..Thank you....that was cute..smiles

if it is nothing like all expressing.....that is fine too. smiles...i do not mind that..Dad has always had some great stamps in his books..It kind of makes me giggle...i was curious about this one and so was others.. Thank you all for your time..truly appreciate it..Have a wonderful weekend!

The other day, I had someone claiming that he is "done with me" when I do not know the individual face to face or have any knowledge why one would say that towards me out of the blue.I was like what in the world? It was a strange comment including another moderator responded with a clown icon to defend his remark. I did look beyond it because I know not everyone behavior is the same in this forum. Many are very professional even if have an off day and tolerated my simple questions...Ir is great for the heart and soul to laugh at times. I love making people smile!
I must say this before I depart. Seriously, I truly appreciated the sincere comment made by another Moderator.He was absolutely correct that there are no rules to collecting..God Bless for reminding everyone. Thank you again. Have a great weekend!
Best Regards,
Blazenstar

Good evening blazenstar. I understand and agree with your frustrations when esteemed members here simply say this is not the $15,000 stamp you hope. I too, much prefer to see for myself in order to learn and become a better philatelist, not just a stamp collector. Unfortunately, what you have presented for opinion and critique by this forum is the common stamp #515, and not a #515d with compound perforations. Here is your visual proof, with bottom aligned right. Were this a compound perf, they would be dramatically misaligned.

You can also simply count perforations - a method which is hotly debated every time it comes up. Here is your "perf-11" stamp again, demonstrating how I was taught to count perfs about a bajillion years ago. I am of the opinion that while fairly accurate, a proper multi-gauge is the best method without fail.

...and as multiple members have suggested that you need a Scott Specialized US catalog in addition to your Classic Specialized Worldwide, if you send me a legitimate mailing address via forum email, I have an older edition which I will send without cost. Since you are investigating Classics through Washington/Franklin, although the prices will not be current, all the relevant identification information will still be accurate.

Sorry. I was not trying to be rude by invoking Jiminy. In fact I apologized just after.

You have to understand that the very first thing you need to do is learn how to use a gauge. You have one I see from the picture you posted. Your picture also shows clearly the bottom is not perf 10 but a narrower gauge. This means it's perf 11. You don't need anyone else to look at the perfs. Just measure them yourself.

The next best tool you should have is a healthy dose of skepticism. Rather than believe you have the rarest variety and try to get a perf 10 measurement, assume instead you have the most common variety. Under the assumption it is perf 11, you would actually attempt to align the stamp to the perf 11 line on the gauge and you would see how that alignment is much better than against the perf 10 line. You could do that to the top and post the pic. You could post both the gauge and the stamp side by side. But at this point it's not worth continuing because...

Frankly kollectorkurt has proved that your stamp cannot be the 515d. Take heed his advice and learn and understand why he is correct.mthen learn to use a gauge. Then buy a catalogue etc.