Australia 6d Identification

Narrow A Watermark indicates this is the later 1915 version. A break in the frameline at the nose would indicate a Die IIA (Stanley Gibbons). However, I also see a hint of a break in the outer frame line about the ST, and the upper right corner could be incomplete, by some measurements. Perhaps this is a slightly overinked Die IIB? Also, I have no stamps to reference, but is the missing line of color above and below the "Six Pence" common? Any help would be appreciated.

Hi Partime

If you are really interested in the Roos, apparently the new Australian Commonwealth Specialists' Catalogue on Roos has just been published and is a wealth of information. I do not have one yet but I will buy one.
The prices of some items have gone through the roof. some-thing that was $80-$90 ten years ago is now in the $600+ range. So if you are a serious roo collector it is a must have. It costs $95.00 Australian.
Regards
Horamakhet

Hi Horamakhet. Since the total value of my Roos holding is less than the price of the Catalog, I think I'll hold back for now. However, I do find the series quite interesting and collectible and will continue picking them up. Thanks for the information.

The Die IIA is a substituted cliche on one unit of the pane & is therefore very rare. It has a catalogue value of $1250 but usually sells around the $500 mark (used). The frame break is substantial & is usually associated with a weakened or broken outer frame as well, although that's not always the case as it got worse with time. Still, the outer frame break is preferable as it's more convincing that it is the substituted cliche & not just bad inking. The break should be level with the eye of the Kangaroo.

I'm not convinced the break is substantial enough - although it can be difficult to tell with scans. It must be all the way through, not just thin.

One thing in your favour is that another tell tale sign of the substituted cliche is the upper right corner of the outer frame is rounded, as yours is. Another sign is the watermark. The stamp comes from the bottom right corner of the pane (position 60) and should have a marginal watermark - you should see a straight line watermark down the side & across the bottom, or at least down the side. If you don't have the marginal watermark I think it would be difficult to ID it as a IIA.

Missing shade lines are common above & below the value.

Hope that helps - let us know what the watermark looks like or post a scan of it.

Balf

Balf. Thank you for taking another look at this item. I have tried a few more scans to show the watermark and the frame break. They don't show as well as I would like, but the frame break is in line with the eye of the kangaroo and is a full break, not just thin. I tried to do a watermark scan showing the placement. Any further thoughts would be appreciated.