1c 1851 Plate 3 Stamps

Classic Coins, Thank You! I believe this is position 24L3 & is part of the "Forked Lightning Crack".

Here's one I picked up a while ago (already certified), supposedly position 96L3. I don't trust APS(or PF) to plate these stamps & plan on having the stamp plated by actual experts on the issue. The cracks in left margin & on the shoulder are extremely thin/hard to see. Upon taking this picture, I also noticed APS didn't bother calling the chipped ink behind Franklin's head, colored over with black permanent marker(purchased from Century).

jmt406, I would agree that your plate 3 on cover likely is 24L3.

Thanks Classic Coins! I plan on having the cover plated in the near future.

I think the APS will tell you who plated the stamp. I can just about guarantee that the stamp was plated by the foremost expert on plating the 1c stamps.

I have been sparring with an ebay seller/expertizing company official over a recently certified stamp that I bought. The cert is just plain wrong. The stamp has been examined by "3 of the best known philatelists who specialize in classic US stamps". So frustrating.

The 24L3 is definitely that - 24L3. Very nice item. When I get to posting it, I believe that I still have an old scan of the 3 position crack reconstruction that I made of this crack once, 24, 33-34L.

On the 96L3, I can see the discrepancies between your stamp and Neinken, however, one 96L3 I found at Siegel is clearly absolutely the same position as your stamp. No question. I also, very faintly, see the arcing left northwest crack which is a signature of this position, and a few nearby ones (97L as well). I'm fairly confident that your stamp is correctly plated as it stands. I also concur with Sinclair, that it was probably plated by the person most of us know, who now has quite a plate 3 holding for reference. I'm sure he has 96L. I know I used to have one as well.

Here was my old forked lightning crack re-construction.
It took me about 8 years to complete this, one stamp at a time.
Positions 24, 33-34L3.



24L is ex-Newbury

I found some really lousy scans of my old plate 3 album pages.
These are mostly worthless for plating, but might be useful for persons conducting a census or other study of what's out there from plate 3.
Covers not included here, just off-cover stamps.

jmt - Regarding your 96L3, I know that you were not sure whether or not to trust the plating. I received an email from a friend, who is the expert that Sinclair referred to, on the 1c stamp. He read this thread, and indicated to me that he did in fact, plate your 96L3. He does most of the 1c plating for the APS and PF. He also helps/works for many of the other expert services. Don't bother re-submitting the stamp for a better plating, as you wont get any better.

txstamp, Thanks for sharing your collection of Plate 3 stamps; truly amazing! I only have 3 items from Plate 3. I think they're fairly tough to find (& may even say underpriced IMO). I will still probably have a plating certificate made for the stamp above. I like the certificates(+ price) & wouldn't mind seeing what others think about the position.

I recently sent one that was plated as 7R11, but other platers determined the position "Possibly could be 7R11 or 8R11", but position is not known at this time. I also think Plate 11 stamps seem to be fairly scarce. I've seen/bought stamps incorrectly plated by the major stamp expertizing companies. Bought 4R1L plated to 5R1L. There's a certified #20 "From Plate 4" that clearly shows a stamp above it; not possible. Unfortunately I can't seem to find the best mistake I've ever seen. I think it was an APEX Cert. I believe it was certified as a #5 or 5A (can't recall), but was clearly double recut on bottom.

I definitely won't shred the original cert, but I would also like a plating certificate. The majority of my Franklins have, or will have plating certificates. I like organizing, displaying, & looking at them! I have a problem with making up specialty pages for my Franklin stamps; I cant seem to quit searching for them! I display/house in Vario pages for now.

Thanks again for sharing!

Probable Type II from Plate 3. Neat dated DEC 27, Boston Paid CDS. Too bad stamp wasn't cut better, but the color is incredibly rich & dark(even darker in person). No idea what position stamp is. I'll eventually see if it can be narrowed down to a position.

For Txstamp, Sinclair, and others: I've noticed on multiple threads when experts are mentioned, typically people skirt around actually stating their names--first or last. Is this just a courtesy to protect their privacy, have experts been "attacked" or "pestered" by others if their identities are released, or some other reason?

I only ask because I'm still relatively new and know few actual names of the major players in philately. It would be nice to know who are the most respected men or women in each field (e.g. 1c plating, washington franklins, etc), and there does not seem to be an easy way of getting that information. I do not mean to come across demanding or impolite; I'm just curious. Thanks.

txstamp, somehow I missed your earlier posting of all those Plate 3's. I stand truly impressed and humbled.

lukusw, It depends. In this case I was commenting on the doings and goings on of the APS. While I was pretty certain that I knew who plated the Plate 3 stamp, I was not 100% certain nor am I 100% certain that all of the 1c 1851-61 APS submissions go to him. So, I just decided to not be very specific.

Experts do get attacked, sometimes for good reason and other times not. It goes with the territory. They get pestered too.