F2 Cover – Or Is It F1 Or F3

This cover has always bothered me.
It has a Small Queen and a Registration stamp F2 on the cover – Aug.25.1892...Collectors have seen my cover before.

Now here is what bothers me...Under the F2 is another registration stamp.
The way it sits now the cover would be worth approx. $60.00
If I found a F1 underneath would be worth, approx. $55.00
If under the F2 there is a F3..It could be worth much, much more.

See close up where there is another F Registration stamp hiding below.


It could also be a F1d or maybe a F1v.
It could also possibly be a F3ii or maybe a F3iii.

Do not want to try to remove the F2, but darn it is temping.
Wish there was a way to see what is underneath...???

Have you tried a very strong backlight to see what the second stamp might be? Chris

Good idea Chris..Will try that.

Robert

Just a guess. Someone thought that 2 cents (F1) was enough, but then found out that 5 cents (F2) was correct, so they covered the F1 with an F2. If there was an 8 cents (F3) below that, why would they cover with an F2 instead of just living with 8 cents?

I would just leave it alone. Again, just my thoughts.

Even if there's an F3 underneath, once you remove your 5c, the 8c is no longer properly tied, thus greatly diminishing the value IMO on all levels. The cover is nice as it is. I would leave it and enjoy it as it is and not worry about what's hiding but appreciating what's there as a whole. Also just my 2c

Stamps are typically removed from covers by certification organizations (and reattached using hinges); as far as I know, this is consider an acceptable practice.
Don

Well, found out that registered stamps were used from 1875 until 1893.

Here is the rate in 1892 below...


Funny, I found this letter with a F2 over a F1 like mine.




So guess my stamp is 99.9% a F1...Back in the box you go.

Robert

You could try to steam just a portion of it and see what is underneath. I suspect it is a F1 for the reasons listed above.

Na....wkusau

Back into the box..On to the next investigation.

Robert

Another reason it is unlikely to be an F3 underneath is that the existing stocks of F3 were recalled July 1, 1878 and those surrendered were destroyed. This is more than 14 years before your cover. This makes it unlikely an F3 was even available.

Jan

Just for fun..Even though they were recalled July 1, 1878.
Here is one 18 years after that date...1896
Just saying.


Robert

Robert,
I agree with you initial statement that you have shown your registered cover in quite a few threads here over the years. Isn't it about time to get the mystery solved of the under-stamp and be done with it? Putting it back in the box and re-posting the image a few months from now won't accomplish anything. Just saying ...

The first thing I would try is strong back-lighting with the area is wet with watermark fluid to make it more transparent.
Failing that, I would lift the left or right third just enough to have a good peek.