Is This Stamp Reperforated?

Would someone who knows the techniques for determining whether a stamp has been reperforated be so kind as to take a look at this one and make a determination. If there is a pictorial comparison of the side(s) that are in question, that would be very helpful.

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Here are the top perfs digitally compared to the side and bottom perfs.



Don

Funny how using the same data you can often see quite different results. Image below is right side compared to left side and top to bottom. Looks reasonably normal to me. 51studebaker didn't say anything about how he interprets his image, but I believe he means to imply that it was obviously reperfed.

I would disagree. I think you would need to have an expert look at it in hand.

Banknoteguy image with his perfs moved slightly closer to the stamp

My opinion does not change. Not obviously reperfed.

I did not say it was 'obviously reperfed' nor did I 'mean to imply that it was obviously reperfed'; stop putting words in my mouth. I posted images only to help.
Don

Didn't mean to start a ruckus - appreciate your input. Still trying to figure out how to do that comparison of different sides of stamps to check to see if the perfs line up. If they do not line up - top to bottom, side to side, top to side/bottom, is that proof that there has been a reperf? Are there other reasons why some of the comparisons would not line up? Thanks again.

Hi Oracle, no worries.
Yes, one example would be something like bent perf pins on the perforator.

I did not offer an opinion for two reasons; first I am just a hobbyist, and secondly a higher resolution image would be more helpful for the folks who are.

Have you tried comparing this stamp with others (by aligning two stamps of the same perf next to each other)?
Don

I don't see anything suspicious about the perforations on this stamp. They are all of very consistent size and depth; the right and left align; the top and bottom align; and the sides are parallel as best as I can see. Is there something in particular that you see, Oracle, that makes you ask?

Dear all experts ,

Perhaps you could educate . What is the rationale behind taking the time , effort and cost to do a reperf ?? Unless , ofcourse , the mischief monger is looking at a possibility of trading off these stamps by reperfing them with a rarer perforation variety .

If the stamp is found as one among many in a collection or in an odd-lot purchase , which has been bought for a few dollars , then why the reperf ??

Regards , Srivatsan .

For US stamps, many were printed in large sheets of 4 panes each. These panes were cut apart leaving stamps with straight edges. Generally, a straight edge reduces the value of a stamp. These type stamps were re-perfed many years ago to increase the value. Inexpensive stamps were used to practice. More expensive stamps are more likely to be re-perfed but not always.
The second group to be re-perfed are those that were issued imperf but have an identical valuable coil issue.

Dear Wkusau ,

Many thanks for your detailed explanations . So , as I understand it , the rationale behind reperfing was to increase the value . As you have stated , reperfs would have been carried out on Coil Stamps or Imperforate stamps or straight-edged stamps , to convert them to a perforated stamp of a higher philatelic value . Perfectly understandable rationale .

However , why would anyone reperf any stamp to convert it into a common stamp of little or no philatelic value ?? When , it is clearly understood above , that the intention and attempt would have been to convert it into a stamp of high value .

Will be thankful for your insights on this .
Regards ,
Srivatsan .

As I see it, there are 3 reasons to reperf a stamp.
(1) To improve its appearance. This was done in the early days if, as wkkusa noted, there was an unsightly straight edge ... or if there was an unusually wide margin, making the stamp appear off-center. Note that this was frequently done with no intent to defraud.
(2) To increase the value of the apparent stamp. There are two subplots to this. (i) To improve the appearance so that the stamp can acquire a "higher grade", making it more valuable. (ii) To fraudulently make the stamp appear to be something else that is more valuable.
(3) To practice one's reperforation technique in preparation for (1) or (2).

There was a time when pennies, nickels and dimes had purchasing power. An extra $ reperfing and pressing creases was a worthwhile income booster.

Dear Lebbert ,

Many many thanks . Very comprehensive and complete reply . All doubts cleared .

Regards , Srivatsan .

Dear Redwood ,

Many thanks for adding some more light to Lebbert's reply . Perfectly agreed and duly noted for my knowledge .

Regards ,
Srivatsan.