Do Any Official Stamp Experts Recognize This Heavily Cancelled Stamp?

I was sold this as O101. I don't think so. I have little experience telling soft from hard paper, but if fells hard to me. It could day "Interior Dept.," but that would make it quite different from the 1873 12¢ issue. Also, although stamps can change color over time, this looks radically different from the color of my other Interior stamps. Any idea what it is?

Thanks for the help.

Don

While no expert, I can tell its a 12C War Dept and it's rose red under that cancel. Either O89 or O119

Agree, 12c War Dept. I also agree that I'm no expert.

Aside from the clear difference in color, the Interior Dept. stamps are all inscribed "Dept. of the Interior", so this can't be that.

Banknote soft paper has "fuzz" or tiny paper fibers sticking out from perf tips and to a lesser extent from inside perf holes. Banknote soft paper also typically has a mesh visible in strong light or in watermark fluid.

You may be swimming in deeper water than you know how to swim in.

John, I don't know what you mean. If you mean I'm a sucker, yes, you are probably right, but for small amounts of cash.

Don

I agree. War dept. Thanks for your help.

Don

Ask questions and learn more BEFORE you buy into a new area. Find a seller with better knowledge of stamps also.

O101 catalogs about 10x what the stamp really was. That makes for expensive lessons.

I don't remember whom I bought it from or what I paid, but it was far from CV. I can be foolish, but also frugal.

Don

It was no doubt "cheap" because the seller was aware that is was not the catalog number that he was stating it was. So many games.