Maybe A Gem?

As I go through and ID all the stamps I purchased at garage sales I came across this little fella:

I check the watermark, prefs (12)

I come up with a # 386.
However this stamp is often faked, It appears MNH
What's the verdict?

A few questionable perfs.

I saw that as well, do you think its a faked #384? All the others line up well.

This would be my first fake, it was sealed tight in a mount had to cut it open to get at it.

Even if it is a 384, you will still need it expertized. Assuming you wanted to sell it, no one would pay the price without a certificate.

Just something to think about, would someone who would fake a 386 from a 384 do that with a stamp thats centered so poorly? Come to think of it, I guess it could have been done from a 384V? Early W/F coils are really challenging for me.

They are very challenging I even tried to get a book on the subject but it is rare and casts over $100 "The Expert's Book" a Practical Guide to the Authentication of United States Stamps Washington/Franklin Issues 1908-1923, Paul W. Schmid

His stamp shop is still here on Long Island, may go out and visit soon.

Hi Joe--
I own Schmid's book, but just in my own personal opinion, Marvin A. Armstrong's book is better. He really lays out a historical story of how the different varieties came about. Very easy to read and understand.

I purchased a copy on ebay for I think, about $25. A 2nd edition version, larger than the original I have, is on Leonard Hartmann's philatelic literature site now for $47.50:
http://pbbooks.com/stamps.htm

Hope this helps-- good luck hunting!
Ray

@Ray Thank you!

Hi, ray.mac, I searched for that book and I need to inform you that you made a little, but important error, the name is Martin Armstrong instead of Marvin... I did find and buy 3 of his books however and they were exactly what I needed as I have a lot of trouble with certain areas (types etc) of those issues so that was most helpful. Are there only 3 books of his pertaining to those issues? Thanks, Dave
By the way, I didnt buy from the site you mentioned but I dont think there is anything on ebay, US anyway.

Ah, Martin, Marvin, My Favorite Martian, Marcia, Martha..... :)

Thanks for the heads up!
Ray

A 1 carat diamond .......Wow!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-...rrot/8815720

Hi Joe Stamps, your title "maybe a gem"?

Off center, inclusion, how can this be a gem?

Would you please scan the reverse side?

Good luck

Stampmaster

The perfs appear to be far too clean and too round to be genuine. It looks to me like someone took a 384V imperf coil and added the perfs.

Not sure the OP still has the stamp now (Originally Posted five years ago). When we bump a thread older than a few years it would be good a idea to mention the bump (Hint, hint Rod!)

Don

It is available as an ebook at http://www.stampexpertizing.com/ebo...ertbook.html

The fact that it is poorly centered does not make it good or bad. If it was made from an imperforate sheet stamp then it would most likely be well centered, if it was made from a perforated sheet stamp the gauge and appearance of the holes would be correct and it may or may not be well centered depending on stamp used and if it was made from an imperforate coil roll then the centering can vary just as the genuine coils vary. Fake coils can have have holes that gauge perfectly on the specialist gauge. Kiusalas is reputed to have made machines as well as gauges. A close look at the holes themselves would be needed to determine genuineness or non-genuineness.