End Of An Era For Ashton Potter Coils

Ashton Potter has changed their back numbering.

Until now, their rolls started with a 10000 or a 3000 and counted down and when they got to under 1000 they switched to 3 digits (990, 980 etc) instead of keeping a leading 0 (0990, 0980 etc) like other printers did and below 100 2 digits (90, 80 etc). Now they are also using leading zeros on the new low face Flowers coils just issued (they might have switched one issue before this that I wasn't paying attention to).

Mostly on their lower face coils (mostly 5c and below), I had been trying to collect the 3 digits # on # (counting # behind plate # stamp) and the 2 digits in all positions. Now it will be more boring but cheaper and I will turn my attention to the many holes I have for these on past issues.

For reference purposes, I am sharing this image. It depicts the rear of backing paper from the US Flags 2024 issued on 14 June 2024. It is folded, such that the face of two stamps are visible.

USPS item # 762003, strip of 25 from a roll of 10,000. The printer is Ashton Potter. Plate number P1111.