5A From Apfelbaum Inc?

This "5A, Pos 8R1E" just popped up on Apfelbaum's site. I have NEVER seen a #5A with balls this well defined, leading me to believe that it is perhaps a trimmed #18? I'm also not sure why this stamp doesn't have a valid cert, which to me is another red flag. Any opinions??

I wouldn't trust it given Apfelbaum's dubious history.

After maybe 5 seconds of looking (talk about obvious-to someone familiar with the 1c stamp):
- the impression is impossible for a Plate 1E stamp (5A's come from 1E)
- this is an impression characteristic of a Plate 1L stamp from at least 1854 ... probably later
- The bottom ornaments - almost all of them are drawn in
- from memory this reminds me of position 3R1L - with the single GD

So my quickie analysis - #9 (probably 3R1L) with bottom painted to appear more like a #5A. It is recut at bottom, but painted over to hide it.

So this one is clearly a flat out altered stamp to appear more valuable.

That small dash in the UL margin is also characteristic of 3R1L.

I wouldn't trust this seller...period. I agree that it appears drawn in.

I would also add that the color is not characteristic of early printings of Plate 1e.