Germany: How To Tell Scott 156-260 And 199-203 Apart

I am looking at the Scott 2009 Vol 3 (G-I), p.97. The "Numerals of Value" (A31) for values 100m, 200m, 300m, 400m, and 500m are listed as #s 156-160 and 199-203. The catalog lists them both as Litho. and perf 14.5x14. The set 199-203 are marked ('23), but there is nothing (that I can find) that explains the difference between the 1922 and 1923 issues. Can someone tell me the difference between the two?

Thanks for the help.

The earlier issues have a lozenge watermark (see example here), while the later ones have a waffle watermark (see example here).

When looking at Scott, you sometimes need to go further back in the listings to see a watermark heading somewhere. I don't have a 2009 version of Scott, but there should be a heading above #111 indicating wmk 125 (lozenges). This usually means that all following issues (until the next wmk header) also have that watermark. The heading for the second set should show above #161 (wmk 126 - network), which indicates that following issues have that watermark unless noted otherwise.

The nice part about these issues is that the watermark is usually plainly visible without the use of fluid. Usually you can just turn the stamp over and make the watermark determination without any additional effort.

The best thing is, for many of these stamps you don't even need a signoscope or lighter liquid to distinguish - you can see the different watermarks with the naked eye most of time.

Thanks all for the help. I never realized that the watermark notation carried over beyond the heading where it appears.

In the 2009 catalog, the wmk 125 starts at #137, with the change to wmk 126 at #161.

I think the Scott Catalogue is just fabulous.
Your comment would be my only criticism of this wonderful production.
On occasions, it can be just a tad irritating.