Hey all,
One of the problems with collecting these plated specimens is putting too much faith in the "experts".
This example shared here is certified by PSE (No. 01418683 12/6/22)
"Scott #11A 1853-1855 3c Dull Red XF-90"
"It s genuine used, with a red cancel and light overall sulphurization."
I saw it on HipStamp and I made a 2/3 offer and the seller accepted it. Sweet!
It arrived today, and I am supposed to be working, but I scanned it in and checked the back -
No evidence of it having been plated previously recorded on the back. Hmmm.
The scales has WORK on one side and PLATE on the other. Since I am still here, you know which side won.
It has to be a left most column of the left side of a plate - right? Right?!?
So I go through the routine -
B-relief. One line recut UL Triangle. One line recut LR Triangle
Guide Dot LR, Guide Dot LL.
Scott #11 - so plates 1L, 2L, 3, 5L -
7 Stamps to choose from - Sweet!
Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. <head scratching commences>
Let's check the Orange Brown sheets - "14 Stamps Meet Your Plating Wizard Criteria" Still pretty sweet!
Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. WHAT!?!
41R0? Right Pane!?! Scott #10A!?! But it is CERTIFIED!! And it must be from the left pane.
I check Chase, he says the centerline on plate 0 is 3.25mm from the edge of the stamp design on either pane.
I check my stamp - the margin is 3.24mm. Right pane. Who woulda thunk.
Anyway - I much more enjoy finding #10's that are described as #11's, than vice versa.
It is a position that I am missing. I only have 20 stamps from the right pane of Plate 0.
The more that I thought about it, I thought - I'd better check with the *REAL* Experts.
The ones who plate three cent Washington stamps because they want to, not because its their job.
So here you go. I think I bought an
XF-90 Scott #10A, Position 41R0
that has a PSE cert stating that it is a
XF-90 Scott #11A, in a lightly sulphurized Dull Red.
Your comments and opinions are encourage - especially if you agree with me.
Your comments are needed if you disagree with me.
Stan Shepp
