Help With Germania 20-Pf

Aging and paper toning have a major effect on color appearance.

The Germania issue is the only area where expertizers' marks have left me baffled.

cupram
Thank you for the information. You're absolutely right . Distinguishing between colors in German stamps is very difficult.
 

Also, I should think that stamps this old and postally used, have suffered through a variety of environmental conditions, including temperature, humidity, sunlight, handling, storage, etc. These are all factors that make identification of the original shade or hue extra difficult, if not impossible.

I like Germania's approach here. Especially his demonstration (the last three rows of his scan, labeled "d") of the extent to which the same color can vary.

Hello.
72 doesn't have a watermark, these do.
Regards.

You can differentiate most of the "peace" and "war" stamps by print and paper quality. 1915 stamps (identified by cancel dates) can be the exception. Colors are another matter.

Distinguishing colors cannot be done at home ("self expertizing"). Distinguishing colors on computer screens is fruitless. Even if you have a reference collection, the range of variables and paper condition will "throw you off".

Hello.
It's not just the color: MI: DR 87II.- blurred indistinct print, interrupted lines, rough paper, watermark unclear, not always recognizable, glossy gum
Regards.