Help On Belgium J6 Vs J14

So I've checked a few sites and found that the J14 examples vary widely color wise. Opinions as to which these 2 are? Also, which line is considered "The outer edge of the design" ? 1 or 2??

These look like the original version. The lions' heads have a much heavier border in the redrawn design from 1916.

The Scott note about the outer edge could be clearer. I believe it refers to the inner of the two frame lines at the left and right sides (your no. 1).

Humm, but the lines are not the same between the 2 stamps. The no. 1 is thin on the left and thick on the right stamp.

Michel says this about the two
1895 (Mechelner) printing - "the background lines touch the lion"
1916 (London) printing - "distinct contour lines around the lion"

So that agrees with GeoffHa, that these are both the earlier printing.

~Greg

so was misreading the desc in Scott re: the lines. "thick vertical line at the outer edge of the design on EACH side". The lines on the alternate between thick and thin between the sides. In addition to the Lion's head. Thank you.

The frameline on the outside does not count as being part of the design. The vertical side lines are not always a reliable guide because of heavy or light inking. Do not get stuck on this one factor.

As noted by nigelc and gmot, The later 1916 issue has heavier outlines on the lions, most noticeably on the faces and chests. Both issues have heavy lines at the back of the lion heads. Still, this is the better spotting feature:

And this example shows the heavy lines at the sides of the designs.

So yes, yours are clearly from the first issue, Scott J6.

yes I see the difference in the alternating frame lines vs yours and on mine the Lions vs on yours. Very nice.

Serendipity!
I was just about to ask for an example of any J12 to J16
I like to Toggle between varieties.

The "Catalogus" had a differing loop at left top corner
This has turned out to be a furphy.

The most obvious difference is the colour ! Olive v Deep Grey green

Thanks for the example