Germany Wilhelm II Empire 25th Identification Help Needed

I have three of the 5m Wilhelm II Speaking at Empire's 25th Anniversary Celebration. I think I have them identified correctly, but would like some more eyes to validate or correct.

Note: I am using Scott Catalog numbers.


As best I can tell this stamp has no watermark. It is 26x17 holes. I have identified as #78. Since this is pre-war, I am assuming it is a sharp impression.


This stamp is 25x17 holes and must therefore be #95 because that is all that Scott lists with this combination of holes. Scott also says this is a wartime printing with indistinct impression. I don't see any watermark, but #95 is supposed to have a watermark lozenges.


This last one is 26x17 holes. It definitely has a watermark lozenges and looks like a more clear impression so I penciled this one in as #95c.


The difference between a sharp impression and an indistinct one is what I am most struggling with on this stamp. Any help would be appreciated.

These watermarks are impossible to miss if they are there so maybe reassess the ID?

Hi rogdcam, Yes it is normally the case that the lozenges show very easily. But the number of perforation holes is definitely 25x17 and there is only one section in Scott that lists that combination. I might need to soak the stamp to really tell.

Here's a guide that can help with these, though you're pretty much there already.

In my opinion:

1. First one is Sc. 78 (MiNr. 81 A a or 81 A b, depending on UV color). The cancel date is 21 Mar 1905, and the watermarked stamp with this perf (Sc. 95) wasn't issued until 24 Jan 1906, so it has to be Sc. 78.
2. Second one is Sc. 95 (MiNr. 97 B II). That is the only variety with perf 25:17.
3. Third one is Sc. 95c (MiNr. 97 A I a or 97 A I b, depending on UV color). The watermark means it has to be a 95, and the cancel date (28 Nov 1912) is before the war printing with this perf (Sc. 95 b / MiNr. 97 A II) was issued (18 May 1916). That leaves 95c as the only option.

LATE EDIT to correct a typo. No change to the info.

Thank you PostmasterGS, what a great resource. I'll be checking UV color as well.