Definite E Potential Z Grill

Points are easy to count but measurement is really close. The stamp on the right is an F grill but the left has 14x17 points but when I measure it is extremely close to being 11x14mm . Does seem to be slightly higher on left side of grill . Don't have precise measuring tools at my fingertips so it may very well just be an E but is tetering awfully close to Z .

looks z to me

Not a Z grill. Z grill has horizontal ridges. Both of your grills are vertical.

Stampvirgin--thank you for the short sign of hope. Russ is there no chance of ridges being applied vertical with the Z just to keep my hopes up. Not sure what exactly your refering to but as always I'll take your word for it.

Russ,
are you saying the z grill is "sideways"

No I don't think he is, I think what he is saying is the points inside the grill holes are horizontal but on everyother grill is vertical I'm sure I read it some where, this is the shape of the point on the z >-< , amd it's vertical on all the grills except the z, the tip of the point is not a point but a line, but I'm not 100% sure, it was a long time ago I read it and I didn't understand grills that well then and it didn't make much sense at the time but makes more sense now lol

here is a pic of Z grill from seigal auctions site. I sorta get the difference between vertical and horizontal but how to actually see the difference is another story.

The scan of that z is to low quality to see but if you look at your scan and go 6 down and 3 across that is the clearest one I can see to show the tips of points

A little primer of grills might help.

Shape
The shape of the grill impressions is like an extruded pyramid. The ends and sides are angled. The sides meet at the top to form a knife edge ridge.

Points up or down
The points are determined from the face (printed side) of the stamp. If the ridges (impression) was pushed from the back of the stamp to the face it is points up (A, B and C grills only). If the ridges (impression) was pushed from the face of the stamp to the Back it is points down (All grill except the A, B and C).

The Z grill had short ridges compared to the E or F grills. The G grill has similar size ridges as the Z grill.

Below is an image of a Z grill essay produced from a new grill device with a well defined impression. The red shows the horizontal ridge(s) and the angled sides. The ridge is on the back side of the stamp as the Z grill is points down.



Below is an image of a G grill from the 1869 3 cent Scott 114. it is a well defined impression. The red shows the vertical ridge(s) and the angle sides. The ridge is on the back side of the stamp as the G grill is points down.



I hope this helps.

yup, thanks russ

Ok so another $100,000 dream shot down--lol . Great pics now its just a matter of trying to apply the knowledge. I did guess 3 F grills properly so I'm getting used to the general size relations.

thanks for the tutorial Russ, one more piece of information I hope I dont forget.

VERY helpful to me also. Thank you much!

I think this is correct in regard to the size of the z grill itself;
from;
https://www.linns.com/news/auctions...-rarity.html
Like its famous and almost unique sibling, the 1¢ Z-grill, the 3¢ (Scott 85C) had a waffle-like pattern pressed into the stamp, part of an experimental effort in the late 1860s to make the paper fibers more readily absorb cancellation inks.The post office tried a series of different grill sizes. The type classified by collectors with the letter Z measures about 11 millimeters by 14 millimeters. As a group, the Z-grills are the scarcest of all the types.

Is it true that the different grills have different sizes? If it is could someone place a little chart please?

Hello, im studing my pottential 10 ct Z-grill more than one year ago, every time I look im more shure that is a Z grill. I ask for your opinions.