461 Or 499 And U437c ?

Hi again guys,
Two questions I would like some help with if possible. Firstly, can anyone give me any tips as how to find if the stamp is watermarked or not without removing it?? Second, I believe this circular die to be a U437c ( die 145 on amber paper-- but not quite sure either) This website tells me that die 145 is scarce to rare. If this is true then I most certainly don't want to remove the stamp tied to it... So what do I do? Any suggestions.. And how valuable are scarce dies in general?
Thanks for your' input in advance.
Declan

this website I mean http://jobi.bizhosting.com/ID%20Circular.htm

The odds of it being a 461 are not good so I wouldnt be inclined to remove it

Agreed... particularly with that late of a date of usage...

My guess: looks like white envelope paper that has discolored with age.

Looks like a 539 TY2 or 540 TY3 depending on the ribbon shading (one or two lines). Can't tell from the picture.

Jack Kelley

It is a flat plate perf 11 type I 499. A type II or type III stamp would have a stronger toga button outline. A 461 would have distinctive "pale carmine red" color, not evident in the image, no matter how off color it is.

Hi Guys and thanks,
yes, I figured 499, but fear the only way to tell that it is not a 461 is to take it off. But probably a safe bet to say 499.. here is a close up of it. Any ideas on the U437c.. am I right in my guess?

sorry chasa, missed your comment at first. That could certainly be the case but the paper is very evenly discoloured if that is the case..

Clark,

I mistook the 499 to be a rotary press stamp.

Jack Kelley

Re-post your stamped envelope image/question in the US Back of the Book form. There's a couple of guys who specialize on them that will see it there and give you an answer to you question.

This is a GREAT resource: http://dubinweb.com/USstampedenvelo...03.html#Q11W

Thank you all very much. It is past 2 in the morning where I am now and my eyes are getting tired, so shall try to pick this up again tomorrow. I very much appreciate all the help I get here. Not many collectors of American stamps here in Austria.. which I am hoping one day may work in my favour :)