1890 P5 Vs Tc5 Paper And Listing

Thought on 222P5 and 222TC5.

Scotts says TC5 plate on wove, a. orange brown, b. yellow brown, c. brown (shades) Cat Val $120.

P5 says Dk brn on stamp paper, Pair $210.

1. Values would indicate the P5 is rarer . but most listings for years are fairly plentiful for the pairs on gummed "stamp paper". I have what I believe is a "TC5" that is the only one I have seen in many decades of searching. I've searched auctions and the postal museum and ebay.

2. Why would the catalog mention all the shades for the TC5 when you see the multitude of shades available on the P5's? The P5 says only Dark Brown.

3. Paper. It's near impossible to see the paper on the gummed "stamp paper" ones. My "TC5" looks like wove having a very tight consistency, the most noticeable difference is that it is much whiter paper.

4. 2012 Catalog lists 222TC6 plate on wove with 2 colors with no value indicated.(meaning not enough sales to establish a value? ) 222TC6 ---> 222TC5 now.
222P4a on stamp paper $210 -----> 222P5 now.
5. A large percentage of past and present listings from major dealers mix the 2 Catalog numbers up. Do they not know which is which?

6. Siegel Auction 1201 May 2019 item 2038 and others https://siegelauctions.com/lots.php...sale_no=1201 has many items listed as TC5's showing 9 colors for 222TC5 and 11 colors for 223TC5. They also list a 222P5 on envelope.

6. Conclusion? Are all the P5's really TC5's and vice-versus and scotts has the listing mostly backwards?

Proofs are the final design in the issued color(s). They are examples of what is to be produced. Any other color is a Trial Color. Makes sense actually. What sellers call something is another thing entirely and they are often wrong. I would go by what someone like James Lee states something to be. He has a lot of input into the Scott listings for essays, proofs and trial colors anyway.

I agree. That's why I think the P5's should be TC5's.


James Lee has all of them as P5's, which is the opposite of what you adn I say.

https://www.jameslee.com/SmallBankNotes.htm

Just took a look and see what you are saying. That is confusing. Might be worth dropping Mr. Lee an email.

Price, in a catalog anyway, is a function of scarcity and demand with demand the primary price driving force. There are readily available items with high prices due to large demand and very scare, rare or unique items with low prices due to lack of demand.

I agree that Jim Lee could shed some light on the subject for you. He shares his information willingly (more so for customers).

Lastly, the essay, die proof, plate proof and trial color listings are not yet complete and new items have been added over the years as well as old items delisted or listing location altered.

I have communicated with James Lee and Scott Publishing, they are working on this correction and potentially many other listings that reference stamp paper. Should be in 2023 Catalog.

Excellent work!