Opinion On This Coil

Does this look like a good coil? 12-66 on the Kiusalas gauge, Perf. 12. Design is 18.75mmx22mm. 24.75+ straight edge to straight edge.
Top edge is 1.0mm from the design border on both corners. Bottom straight edge is 1.75mm from the design edge on both corners. Perf. holes are 1.0mm. wide. Single line watermarked-very clear "S" in the middle of the stamp. The White spot isn't on the stamp--something on the scanner I guess.

Perhaps someone will refresh my memory. Is there a reason why the perfs don`t always match on a coil stamp?

They will only match on a rotary press printing. This is a flat plate printing. It has to do with the method of printing.

Thanks, Al! I knew there was a reason. And I think it was discussed recently. (My poor memory...)

I like the stamp. A shame that one of the perfs is pulled!

Peter

Good coil with fake perfs? I am sure Clark could give a good analysis. I don't think the perfs are genuine. The top half of the left side looks very suspect. I think the perfs should also be very close to parallel with the design but these are not. More importantly, the rows of perfs should be parallel with each other but they seem to miss on that metric as well.

Al E.,
A 388 (perf 12 Horizonal coil) is one of the most commonly faked coils. I am also with Sinclair, some of the perfs seem a bit suspect. Possibly a 384 with added perfs? We really need Clark for a definitive opinion.
Don

Winston, Don---I've had this one for several years. Had it in with some 353s. Decided to re-check them and when this one popped up with a single-line, thought I should take a better look at it. First red flag was; Is it a 388?--rare and readily faked. Second was how good are the perfs? Couldn't really determine for sure so thought I'd post it and see what others thought. Couple of perfs. on the right are a bit iffy too. Yes, I'd like Clark to see it and give his opinion. I doubt its a good coil, but its not a most obvious fake (at least to me) if so.

Scott 388 requires an direct examination. One of the key factors is the shade. Except for the overly well defined perforations on the upper left side, there is no smoking gun. While it is likely that the stamp is a coil, closer examination of the edges would be required keeping in mind that the coil is probably auto-wound. Then, the perforations would require a more careful look and exact gauging to rule out metric perf 12, characteristic of a Claiborne fake. Finally, some additional explanation is needed to account for the smudges and other discoloration on the stamp and the condition of the gum if any. If the stamp is used, it would not command the normal premium.

Clark

Thank You Clark. I'll get it to the APS and we'll see what it is.

Clark,

You mentioned the distinct shade for #388. I can only find "carmine" listed for its color. Can you add any additional info on the color, especially as pertains to #353 or the sheet stamps? Thanks!

I don't have reference copy available. The examples I have seen are not one of the brighter shades frequently seen on perf 8 1/2 or imperf coils. All of them are called "carmine". The only way to find out is to look some certified copies with recent certificates.

Clark

Perfs?




I would have that white spot on Washington's neck looked at. It looks possibly malignant.




-IBFS