The only one that "might" be genuine is the 1/2 schilling in the LL corner. All the rest are reprints. The separation that I see between the chignon and the queen's head suggests to me that it is also a reprint from a worn plate.
You can do the following tests for the 1/2 schilling:
1. See if the perforation is 13.5x14.5; if so, it "might" be genuine, as some reprints are the same perf. If you measure anything else (e.g., 14), it is a reprint.
2. See if it is thick quadrille paper (hold it up to a light, you can't miss the horizonal/vertical lines). If so, AND the perf measures 13.5x14.5, then it must be Scott #9.
3. If it is not quadrille, but the paper is still thick AND the perf is 13.5x14.5, then it "might" be Scott #5b.
Even if it does meet #1 and #3, again the separation between the chignon and her head (you see the same in the 1 pf reprint) leads me to believe it is also likely a reprint from a worn plate.
Check to see if it meets criteria #2. That is your best bet for a positive favorable ID.
k
Posted 07/16/2009 04:09 am
