Swiss Stamps - Double Circle On One Of Them.

Hi guys

I am no Swiss stamp expert..Here is my questions(s).
1 - Is the left stamp a Scott 53 or Scott 62...?
2 - Is the right stamp a Scott 55 or Scott 65...?
3 - What is the double emboss on the 25 Franco stamp...?

Robert

Hi Robert,

Scott #62 & #65 are on granite paper and you should be able to see the granite threads in the paper if you look at the back of the stamps.

If there are no threads then you have the earlier stamps which are on ordinary paper.

The double ellipse that is visible on the front of the 25 centimes stamp is the impressed "watermark" that was applied after the paper was manufactured.

The double impression or (in Scott "double embossing") that is listed in the catalogues is a duplication of the design and doesn't refer to this impressed watermark.

Hi Nigelc



is this normal on this stamp..?

Robert

The impressed watermark (Scott Wmk. 182) is normal on this series.

It will be on the 5 centimes stamp as well.

If you look carefully at your scan of the 25 centimes stamp you'll see the outline of the Swiss cross inside the ellipses as shown in the Scott illustration of the watermark.

The "double embossing" varieties listed in the catalogues are errors.