Same Stamp But Different Stamp

The Nigeria 1973 new currency definitive issue is well known for its variations in design details and color shades. This post shows three examples of the stamps printed in photogravure in January 1973 (left column) and printed in lithography in August 1973 (right column). These stamps were produced by Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company (NSP & M Co. Ltd.).

These four 5k cattle ranching lithography stamps exhibit variations in color shades of both the pasture and the cattle.

The "Castles and Palaces" small definitive series of stamps of West Germany and Berlin were issued between 1977 and 1987. All of the values were printed in one color by traditional typography. Most of the values were undoubtedly reprinted a number of times because of massive use.

In 1987, near the end of their use, some of these stamps were reprinted by a different method which Michel calls "Indirekter Hochdruck (Letterset)" or indirect high pressure (letterset). This printing method produces a much sharper and smoother print than the traditional typography as used on the older stamps.

The West German values printed by "Letterset" are 10 pf., 30 pf., 50 pf. (green), 60 pf. (dk. red), 80 pf. and 300 pf.. For Berlin, only the 10 pf. and 30 pf. stamps were so printed.

The letterset-printed stamps were undoubtedly printed in much smaller numbers, and some can be tough to find. They cannot be distinguished from the older printings by the naked eye, but 10x magnification makes identification routine. The overall printing and corners of the frames of the letterset-printed stamps are very sharp, and the print color appears even/smooth, as shown below in the close-up pic.

"Same stamp but different stamp"

Try Machins. There are hundreds of them that all look alike.

Jack Kelley

This website contains a wealth of information on the GB Machins:

https://adminware.ca/machin.htm

The Argentina Archaeological artifacts issue (2000-) is noted for varieties on printing types, paper, and perforation. The image here shows examples of some of these varieties on $1 Mbaya basket and $2 Mapuche drum stamps.
Upper row (l-r): on thin fluorescent glossy paper, on thin fluorescent semi-glossy paper, on ordinary medium paper, on ordinary thin paper
Lower row (l-r): on thin fluorescent glossy paper, very fine printing $2 shifted down, ordinary paper, ordinary paper $2 shifted down.

The 1997-2000 Brazil Fruits definitive issue is known for different perforations as shown in these papaya stamps:
1997 - die-cut straight edges with rounded corners
1998 - die-cut serpentine edges teeth height 1 mm
1999 - roulette rectangular
2000 - die-cut serpentine edges teeth height 0.7 mm

Germany 1990 stamp:
Sc#1618-photo gravure print
Sc#1619b-offset print (from Souvenir sheet of two-Rainbow continous of two stamps)

The Argentina Buildings definitive issue (1977-1981) exhibits variation on paper type, watermark, and color shade. This post shows examples of such variations on 500 pesos Capilla de Candonga, 50 pesos Cabildo de Buenos Aires, and 100 pesos Columbus Theatre stamps.

The Greece 2019 Ancient Greek Writers stamps (set of five) were issued in two formats: pane (perforated all sides) and booklet (perforated vertically only).

The Italy Women in Art definitive series exhibit variations in the inscription at the lower left corner of the design (below ITALIA):
2002 - I P Z S ROMA
2003 - I.P.Z.S. S.p.A. - ROMA (width 8.25 mm)
2005 - I.P.Z.S. S.p.A. - ROMA (width 8.75 mm)

The France 2002 Airbus First Flight stamp has two versions:
sheet stamps (left) with no stripes; minipane stamps (right) with two phosphor stripes along the edges of the design.

The Portugal 1995 Christmas stamps show inscription Portugal at the bottom of the design (left), while the inscription is omitted in some copies (right).

The 60 pf value of Danzig's Small State Coat of Arms series (Mi. #81) is listed as "lilac red (shades)". Because of differences in the ink composition, there are two varieties, which may be distinguished by use of long wave UV light, as shown here in the second pic.

The Canada From Far and Wide series (since 2018) was produced in several formats:
top left - ordinary gum and comb perforation
top tight - die-cut 8½ horizontal from coil strip
bottom left - Die Cut 9 Horizontal from booklet pane
bottom right - Die Cut 9 Horizontal from Quaterly pack