Two Cent Washington Not Sure What It Is.

I have scanned this stamp

I do not know the Scott # - however I do know that it is a 2 cent Washington Schermack. Here is a similar one that sold on HipStamp - I am not saying that is the exact one you have, but it is a start as you search. :) I am sure the experts will chime in with a more detailed answer.

https://www.hipstamp.com/listing/19...iii/19987174

You can learn more about your stamp here http://stampsmarter.com/1847usa/PrivatePerfs.html
Don

Jvpool,

That Stampsmarter site DON suggested, the 4 x 'ear locks of hair' shown & unshaded(?) color patch behind the ear suggest type one.

I may be very wrong ...I'm trying to come to grips with the 4 types myself. What type do you think ?.

finches,
Note the bottom text: "TWO CENTS", this can only be 344 or 384 differentiated by the watermark.
(With Schermack Type III vending and affixing machine perforations.)
Hopefully this will speed your journey through the stampsmarter site.

Thank you John.

No excuse for my embarrassing oversight/undersight.

Thanks I also have a green one that looks the same.

Just curious, how does one tell a fake schermack?

Why would anyone fake a Schermack????? Very minimal value

Shermack type III perfs would probably only be faked to try to mimic a 314A or 482A; as has been stated, not much incentive to do so otherwise.

hi dear experts
i have been studying and learned alot from your fabulous opinions.
can u please help me by identifying this stamp.
i tried to post a better picture but due to size restriction I only managed to upload this one.
tonga button is much heavier than it looks in this photo.
regards

Certainly not heavy enough to be a 482A.

With watermark, it's a 409. Without watermark it is a 482. Either way worth less than $1

This is a 482A, so how does one tell that the schermack is fake?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Scott-482a...AOSwEy1dvIM3

Pennyblackie,

For the permanent record, here is the image in the ebay lot link above:


Let's talk about the two stamps.

1. The first stamp reads "TWO CENTS" across the bottom, thus can only be 344 or 384.

2. The second stamp is a type I, clearly lacking the type Ia characteristics of the toga button and toga rope. It can only be 409 or 482, but read onward.

3. You ask about genuine vs fake Schermack perfs. The best way is to examine a group of them and learn the characteristics by experience. Specifically, the squareness of the slot and the spacing between the two slots. The first stamp looks correct. The second stamp has non-typical angled cuts which scream to me that someone has taken a normal imperforate 409 or 482 and tried (poorly) to add their own mimic of Schermack perfs.

Bottom line ... if you want a 482A, buy one with a cert or take the time to learn the finer points, otherwise it is swimming in deep water without a life guard.

john becker, thanks for the explanation. You did mention about slot spacing and all that, but if the serious forger takes these into account, wouldn't it still be extremely hard to to tell if the schermack is genuine?