Lincoln Stamp 315?

Hello! Is this a 315? Thanks for your opinion and time!

faked inperf... margins are too small.

Thanks, Chasa! Man, this is the 4th stamp of this batch I have found that are fake!

To be considered genuine by expert services, a #315 used must measure at last 21.5mm x 25mm or more. Yours looks too small.

Thank you kindly for your expert opinion, Mr. Weiss! Should I measure it just for the heck of it? I do have a fractional digital caliper.

You should measure it. Based on the current evidence, it would be more correct to say is that it can't be expertized as genuine. However, that doesn't mean that it is definitely fake. There is a difference. It could be genuine, but trimmed close by the person who affixed it to a cover. But an expert will not certify it as genuine unless it has the minimum dimensions. Consequently, as a practical matter it cannot be represented as a 315 unless it has those dimensions, even if it is actually genuine. Some sellers will do so anyway, of course, and some buyers may not understand the issue.

it looks like it has pretty big borders to be trimmed down but if your buying pairs and blocks are better for imperfs but in used ones this isnt always an option.

Thank you for your very informative response, cipalermo. Makes a lot of sense. I measure it for the heck of it!

It's correct that to avoid the issue of genuineness, almost all informed buyers will either buy only a pair, or a single with unquestionably large margins plus a certificate. This issue is so widely faked that it's pretty hard to sell a single of this issue, to an informed buyer, without a certificate if the margins are on the cusp, or smaller, than the minimums required by most experts.

Good advise here - I shall bookmark this thread for sure as a reference when I venture to purchase this stamp.

Regards,
Stampalotapus

Thanks again fellas! This has been extremely informative. I will measure with my local stamp shop expert and see what comes up. I'll post back anything interesting.

Can't imagine it happening, but if this pair were separated, and cut a bit close to the right stamp, I wonder if that stamp could get a cert.? Makes me wonder how many 315's there are out there that won't cert.?

https://i.ebayimg.com/23/!Bm+cGq!B2...7zQ~~_12.JPG

be intresting to see what this sells for http://www.ebay.com/itm/SCOTT-315-U...em5424d8e322

Maverickx,

Eventually I am going to find out just how many fakes I have in my collection. I wasn't really concerned with the lower value stamps, but I guess I should have been.
For what its worth, I did do a lot of research before purchasing. I hope that will mitigate the damage somewhat. I look forward to your measurements.

Jack Kelley

Hey Jim! That ebay stamp looks like the same writing as on the back of mine! How weird! I bought my batch on ebay too!

I hear ya Jack. I will definitely let you know. I plan on measuring today after work but not expecting anything special.