"Back Numbers" On Used US Stamps (Coil)

Thanks, George, I'll definitely try your method the next time.

Marty

Hey George. You still out there. I am new to this board, but also collecting since the 1960s. Father left me his collection of used germany coils, he was building the castle series, etc, trying to get all the different numbers. Don't know what to do with them all. 1000s. Not my area of collecting and I don't know anyone who collects them that way. Perhaps there is more interest in Germany.

I haven't pursued a German collection as yet, but I know that it is one of the most popular countries to collect. Sounds like you might have a nice collections. Would sure like to see some pictures (if only for my viewing pleasure).

Hi,

I'm still around. Most people collect primarily mint stamps with back numbers, usually in strips of 5 or 11 etc. I am the odd used stamp collector. I suppose that the collection you were talking about consists of mint coil stamps, right?

Anyway, it is nice to see that people still read this old thread. And I am still looking for info on countries with back numbered stamps - especially from outside of Europe ...

I still have to find my first US back number on a used stamp.

Regards,

Werner

Werner,
No, they are used. In the 1980s, my dad got into german coils and was buying 50 lb boxes of commons and high values. He used to look at them thru the back light to detect the numbers and then carefully soak them off. I have sold off most of what I got from him, but don't know anyone who is into these. He was trying to build all the different numbers for the accident and castle series. I am looking for someone with similar interest to give them to. Hate to see all the hundred of hours he spent go to waste, but I do not consider them to be of any monitary value. I did good selling the other stuff, german perfins and thousand of covers to the USA. If you collect similar to him, I will be happy to ship them to you free. If not, maybe you know someone who does. The only other person he knew (in the US) that collected the same way was older them him, so he is probably not around any longer either. I was unable to send you a email, probably because I am new here. Can you see if you can send me an email through this board or to ebay user "san_onofre_collection" on ebay and maybe this week I can finally resolve what to do with these. Thanks. David

I should start by saying that I don't actively collect back numbers on US Coils but I recently did purchase from Kansas City a strip of 25 of the new 2011 issues of the 44-cent Inkwell & Quill Coil and the 2-cent Navajo Jewelry Coil.

The 44-cent is on backing paper and they do still include a back number but on the backing paper; not the stamp. Since these are only issued in coils of 3000 or 10,000, I only bought a strip for the plate number on the 3000 coil:




As it relates to the 2011 issue for the new 2-cent Navajo Jewelry Coil, these are one of the few modern coils that are still using water activated gum and are only produced in coils of 10,000. Again, I only bought a strip for the plate number and note that they have included the back number on the stamps themselves (every 10th stamp):

Hi wt1,

very interesting. Looking at the Navajo Jewelry, do you think it would be possible to see such a back number on a letter with the old light method? (BTW, I constructed a little apparatus for viewing such stamps which makes life a lot easier. Unless the stamps are on really thick paper, like postcards, cardboard etc.)

George

A "kinda" new question for you.

I found a Scott 4157 (2007 Presorted Standard - 10 cent) with the "back number" on the front of the stamp. Did they change their format sometime? See the attached:



The number shows very well when scanned, but only the 25 shows plainly with the naked eye.

Thanks.
Paul

pkiser1226: I'm not aware of any instance where the "back numbers" appear on the face of stamp. Therefore, I don't believe that is a "back number". My rationale is that the US Postal Service as a rule prints the back numbers in four digits for coils of 3,000 and five digits for coils of 10,000, as shown in the previous examples. Since the number 3625 would have had to be from the larger coil, and isn't preceded by a zero, I doubt that is what you're looking at. Further, the US Postal Service typically prints their numbers in the dot matrix pattern as shown on the previous two examples, whereas the number on your example looks to be more of a spray-on type.

More than likely it is either a partial spray-on cancel or control code of some sort printed by the user of that coil stamp. Do keep in mind that since there were multiple printing companies contracted to produce these stamps, the number also could be unique to a specific printer.

By the way, that stamp is still available from the US Postal Service Stamp Fulfillment Center in Kansas City, and no mention is made of any such variety in USA Philatelic.

Perhaps someone who specializes in these items can provide more information.

Cool. Just hadn't thought much about it, but couldn't help but notice it.