Are They Rare PNC Items?

Hi all,

can please some PNC (Plate Number Coil - pnc3.org) master validate my two items?

It seems to me like:
1901A - plate 6 (not nice perf. at left)
2915A - plate 78777, PV/VP (PeakValey/ValeyPeak - if left/right perforation StartsEnds with the Peak or Valey - counted from the top), 10x10

Both of them should be quite expensive, right?





Thank you for all comments.

edit: abbreviations extended

Jingi, they are both quite expensive. The 5.9 cent Bicycle precancel lists for $51.00 and the 32 cent FOP PV/VP goes for $16.25. By the way, these prices are not the same as Scott; they are taken from actual dealer price lists. These lists are compiled by the PNC3 Catalog Committee every two or three years.

Peter

What's PNC stand for? Some of us are jargon-challenged in specialized areas.

PNC = "Plate Number Coil"

These are coil stamps with a plate number on them. I'm not familiar with these specific issues, but I know from certain FDC's I collect that having strips with the PNC is more desirable than without.

Added: for strips, they are usually referred to as "PNC3" for a strip of 3, "PNC5" for a strip of 5, with (for mint issues) the stamp with the plate number being the middle stamp.

These are used, and that might actually be worth more than if mint, at least for a single. Again, these I don't collect, but since only one in every so many (25 or more sometimes) in the coil have the number, as singles they are going to be relatively scarce.

Blcjr is correct, PNC stands for Plate Number Coil. In 1981 the Post Office started printing a small number on some of the newly issued coil stamps. It is not really the plate number that is shown, although we now call it that.
It is really an abbreviated plate number. The first stamps (coils) to be issued with a plate number was the 18 cent "From sea to shining sea" stamp. This stamp was printed from seven different plates, and plate 6 is called "The Prince of the PNC's". A plate strip of 5 (PS5) retails for $2750.00, and a used single is priced at $490.00. On cover the stamp goes for $2000.00, but plate 7 has that beat at $ 3000.00!
One item needs adding. A Plate Strip is abbreviated PS, not PNC. In other words, a plate strip of 5 would be PS5, a plate strip of 11 would be written as PS11!

Peter

The 5.9c #6 was machine affixed which also means it was machine cut which explains the perf condition - While not ideal, uneven perfs on machine affixed stamps is rather common on the non-profit & bulk rate coils.

I don't have a clue where the other poster got the $16.25 value for the FoP 78777 10/10 used single as it is listed in my 2011 PNC3 values list at $350. However, I think I might see some scuffing across the plate number which would lower its value.

Jingi, the Scott # for the 5.9 cent is 1901a. There is no 1901A!
Eyeonwall, Sorry. Looked at the wrong one. The 2014 price list has it at $325
Of this particular stamp 9 mint strips of 5 have been found, 5 covers are known and 69 used stamps have been reported!


Peter

The concept of a plate number coil is no problem. The problem arises when people use specialized acronyms. It renders their comments meaningless to non-specialists, in this case, US-modern-non-specialists.

Hieronymus, sorry about that! The first post already used one acronym, PV/VP. This acronym is used in sheetstamps as well I think. It stands for 'Peak Valley / Valley Peak'. It is used to indicate the particular die used for "perforating" the stamp. If you look at the FOP stamp ( Flag over Porch ) the top left starts off with a 'peak'. Next is the 'valley' and than another 'peak' and so on. The right hand side of this particular stamp is opposite of that. The FOP coils are know for its variety of different perforations and die cuts. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing was experimenting with die cuts and a whole bunch of different ones resulted. Of this one stamp a whole collection can be formed, over 100 varieties are known!

Peter

I don't know that I'm a specialist at much of anything philatelically related, but am more familiar with U.S. modern, and quite ignorant of U.S. classics. But I understand that abbreviations are often taken for granted, and when I come across one I don't recognize, I can usually find the meaning within a minute or two with Google. Since this was posted in U.S. Modern, I don't see anything aghast at using abbreviations that might be common terms of art for specialists in U.S. Modern. Were I to venture into U.S. Classics, and saw abbreviations I did not recognize, I'd hardly take it upon myself to criticize such use. I'd either ask (politely) as to the meaning, or I'd figure it out on my own, and either way count it as a learning experience.

Good, thanks. It seems I should find someone who wants to spend some money for my rare Flag over Porch stamp

Petert4522: You are absolutly right, whole collection can be formed around #2915A stamp. Here is a part of my collection.

If you understand that abbreviations are often taken for granted, then you will have understood that my purpose in asking for the meaning of the acronym was not simply to find the answer but to try subtly to remind people that abbreviations are often taken for granted.

I see that I failed in the subtle approach so now I'll be blunt about it:

Folks, keep in mind how what you write will come across to the broad spectrum of potential readers. That is, unless you want to be talking only to a handful of cognoscenti.

There. I wrote it.

Looks like I better learn something about this, I wonder how many I have stuck on an enveloped and mailed

Every time I see a negative post on these forums it is always the same particular user.

I think these PNC's are fascinating, thanks for the useful background info into the collecting world everyone else.

I have discovered another item and I am again confused.
Can someone please tell more about this? Is it some good EFO (Error Freak Oddity)?
Apparently, there is a missing one peak on the right - marked as a green dot.

Tu quoque, Patricie.