cd-- this topic was covered back in July-- if you look back in this same folder "US Classic Stamps Mint and Used", you'll find it. Here is what I said in that thread, and same goes here:
they made millions and millions of the Harding Memorial Stamp, he died after a very short time in office, and there was a lot of use of these stamps-- and there are 47 known copies of #613: basically, there is less than a 1 in 10,000,000 chance that any Harding perforated stamp you could look at has a chance of being a #613-- probably less, because any one that you have has already been looked at by a bunch of folks since the 1920's who hoped THEY had a #613.
You have to measure the design. Flat plate vs. rotary press is the type of printing, so it would have absolutely nothing to do with the perforations.
I would suggest very strongly that if you're going to collect US stamps, you consider finding a copy of the Scott US Specialized Catalog on eBay-- and it doesn't have to be a new copy. You can find an old copy from the '90s, for $10 and it would have pages upon pages of information to absorb, and would explain the differences between the common stamps in these issues, and the rarities.
I would highly doubt if anyone on SCF has a #613, or if anyone will ever have a #613-- it's just not a stamp that is on most want lists or any of us, even if we're long time US Classics collectors, ever have a chance to own someday.
Here is the website for Siegel's Auction census page for #613-- they keep a census of many of the rarities-- that's how I came up with 47:
http://www.siegelauctions.com/enc/census/613.pdfTO ADD: The easiest way to test for a wider, rotary press-printed design is to cut off 4 corners of a cheaper, even damaged stamp you already know is rotary press, and then place it right on top of all of your perf 11's. That 1/4mm means the difference between a buck, and $50,000......
Hope this helps! Thanks, Ray
Posted 10/21/2011 4:26 pm
