Scott 2131 (Stutz Bearcat) Small Numbering?

I have several copies of the Scott 2131 (the 11 cent Stutz Bearcat 1933 stamp), and one of them has a small number three on the bottom of it, like shown here in this unreleated ebay listing.



https://www.amazon.com/Stutz-Bearca...p/B0765BZVQL

What is the significance of that little number? Is there any added value?

pictured is a PNC..plate number coil.. printed on plate #3

the value in minimal <$2 I think Unless specific attribute not commonly seen

The number you refer to is a plate number. The strip of 3 with the number on the middle stamp is known as a plate number strip. Yours would be referred to as a PS3 (the 3 in this case refers to the number of stamps in the strip). These strips are collected (usually in a PS5 format) ... and yes, they are more valuable than a plain strip. For a few coil strips, some plate numbers are rather valuable. But for the Stutz Bearcat, a PS5 has a catalogue value of $1.40. Scott does not give a value for a PS3. Some plate numbers can be scarcer than others and hence are more valuable. But for your stamp, all 4 plate numbers (1 thru 4) have the same CV.

Thanks for the quick response!

The 2017 PNC Values List published by the Plate Number Coil Collectors Club lists strips of 3 at $1.05 for any of the four plate numbers. This is a median price calculated from asking prices from participating dealers' price lists. The prices used ranged from 80c to $1.35.

Scott prices strips of 3 for some earlier PNCs but there's a note preceding Scott # 2123 that states "Beginning with No. 2123, coil plate No. strips of 3 usually sell at the level of strips of 5 minus the face value of two stamps."