Finally Found This R88A Plate Variety. Been Looking For One For Years

The doubled frameline plate varieties on the $5 and $10 denominations aren't too difficult to find on the perforated stamps, but finding the same ones on imperfs can be tough as heck. I would argue that the values shown in Scott are way understated compared to their actual scarcity. There's a number of them I still don't have, despite being on the hunt for approximately two decades.

In my opinion, the varieties should carry a much higher premium percentagewise on the imperfs than the perforated stamps.

This is an example of R88a with doubled top frame line. The last year of the date could be a 3, 7, or 9, depending on the penmanship characteristics. Given that there is no break in the stroke, I'm leaning 7, which makes it likely a west coast late usage.

Based on both the 6 and the curl at the bottom, I believe that it's a 9.

I'm guessing a 9, based on the inward curve of the long stroke. A 7, in my opinion, would be more straight.
In any case, a really nice stamp. Thanks for posting.

3 is definitely a stretch

edited to add - very nice doubling

The double frame lines were often added to fool the eye into thinking that all the positions were level if it wound up being entered a bit low. Everything about the first issues was done in a hurry, the Union was desperate for the tax money. So this type of shortcut would occur.

If it is a 9, that is now the latest use of any genuine imperf in my collection, surpassing my previous latest date by 2 months.