Canada #1179 78c Beluga Constant Variety?

I found a mint and used copy of the 1989 1990 78c Beluga (#1179) with what may be a constant variety. There is an extra spot (let's call it a barnacle) on the whale's back, in blue. It is easy to see with the naked eye. Has anyone seen this one? Maybe it is constant?




Variety:


Normal:

I checked 3 copies. Variety not found.

Another thing about the Beluga stamp - it does not seem to have a hidden date. Can anyone find it?

The date is after "beluga" and difficult to see.

Thanks Major, that makes it really interesting. There were three printings of this stamp. The original sheet stamps, perf 14.5 x 14, the sheet reprints, perf 13 x 13 and the booklet stamps, perf 12.5 x 13.

It seems that on the perf 13 x 13 stamp (which I showed above, there is NO TRACE of a hidden date). I also have a block of 12 of the same stamp, with no trace of the date.

Here are close-ups of the date area on all three varieties:

Perf 14.5 x 14 (1990 date)


Perf 13 x 13 (no date)


Perf 12.5 x 13 (1990 date)

Could be that all 13 x 13 have no date. Therefore not being a variety. I have none to check.

That is correct, I have quite a few 13 x13, all without the date. I never noticed that before. It is now another way to tell the difference.

Now back to the variety at the top... any more information?

I' away from home and have no access to my stamps, but Unitrade shows the original pane as perf 14.4 x 13.8., the reprint as 13.1 x 13.1 and the booklet as 12.5 x 13.1.

Thanks Blackjag. I have corrected the 14.5 x 14, I had it reversed. My values are rounded as per Scott.