Can You Help Me Determe The Type?

Thanks for the help

It is a Type I which makes it either Scott 261 (unwatermarked) or Scott 276 (watermarked). You need to check for a watermark.

How much would you estimate its value to be if it were sold at siegel auction (if they were even auctioning them)?

Assuming it's without a watermark, which I suspect it is.

And thank you for your last explanation; it was a while ago – about the newspaper stamp with the ink stain.

Are you wishing that there is no watermark because it would have more value?

Siegel would never sell your stamp because of centering and heavy ugly cancel. Looking at ebay sold listings your stamp IF a 261 would likely fetch around $200 if it has NO faults. By contrast a 276 in the same condition would get maybe $30 dollars.

The bottom line is that you need to check for a watermark. Dip the stamp. Easy to do and you will have your answer. You can't "suspect" at whether or not it is watermarked. That is like suspecting that one is pregnant. You need to know.

PS: My money is on a 276.

Just left of the stamped mark, there appears to be an outlined "S:" Would that be a watermark?

Edit: no it cannot. Too small.

Now, seriously, I've been looking at the results of Siegel auctions for over a year. The centering is absolutely good enough, but in combination with the cancel, you might be right; it's unfortunately too much.

I'm guessing it's without a watermark, partly because of the examiner's mark.


@NSK
Under the light I don't see a watermark, anyway.

You want to be serious? How about the only used 261 that Seigel sold in 2025 was graded a 98 (PSE) with a cancel you could barely see.



https://siegelauctions.com/power-se...SortOrder=-1

Just dip your stamp in some lighter fluid.

Just for the record, Rodg, could you clarify whether you were pregnant?

Perhaps I am just too stupid to understand, but Niklass, why haven't you contacted Siegel's directly with an image and question? Am I correct you are afraid of their answer?

You ask about value at Siegel's, well that will depend. What is you cost for the stamp, how much will insured shipping to Siegel's cost you, will Siegel require the cost of a certificate, it will sell, if at all, at a fraction of catalog with approximately 30% going away after expenses. Plus what else do you have to sell as this one stamp will not meet their minimum value submission. Frankly if value is your concern, if it is a 276, throwing it in to the trash will keep you from losing money trying to sell it. As a 276, it is not worth the cost of your time trying to sell, even on ebay.




I just looked in my run and Midnight Ninja Bunny still lives.

Edit to add:




Could just be an owners mark, as well as an examiner's mark verifying as 276, on 261

I just looked in my run and Midnight Ninja Bunny still lives.

If bought in Germany, it, even, could be a seller's mark. Stamp shops in Germany, once, had a habit of backstamping stamps.

I am on the wrong side to believe that could be possible. You know well who thinks it is possible.

That response made my day, Rod! Thanks!

@Parcelpostguy
You really went to great lengths thsi time to write something demotivating. For some reason, that's common practice in stamp forums I don't understand why, but it's funny ( I don't mean it in a bad way, more like funny.) But don't worry, I have some good US stamps that I actually inquired about at siegel auction, and there was at least interest in sending them, I obviously don't know what the final outcome will be.

And why didn't I request SigelAuction just for this one stamp? Because I usually submit multiple requests very efficiently.

But if you're going to send request for a single stamp every time to an auction house, then go ahead, that's not my style. :)
I think if you do that 5 times (without at least one genuinely interesting stamp), you won't get a reply anymore.

Of course, it doesn't make sense to send and sell just that one stamp to the US and only if it's without a watermark.

Yes, Rogdcam is shockingly knowledgeable about pregnancies; I've just noticed that!

A fraction of the catalog value? Rogdcam said $200.

Niklass,

In the Introduction in the Scott Specialized Catalog for US stamps, it has a 3-page guide called "Information on catalog values, grade and condition" which gives very clear examples on what is expected from a stamp to apply catalog values. Read it.

Your stamp has "fine" centering with a heavy cancellation, making is worth far less than the listed catalog value. Siegel and other stamp auction houses don't deal in average condition stamps because there isn't much $$ to be made. In short, Seigel won't sell your stamp.

Look at the ebay "sold" listings for an idea what your stamp is worth.

Brian

Thank you for the explanation, yes,
I'm somewhat familiar with the conditions;

but I even specifically mentioned at the beginning – if they were to auction the stamp at all.

I knew that it was probably too bad mainly because of the cancellation.

and the centering.

Having bought and sold with Seigel for years I can tell you that they would not touch this stamp with a 100-foot pole. Do you understand how many stamps do NOT make it into a Seigel sale as a single lot? Likely 99% of the stamps they are asked about. It would not even make it into a group lot. They are not competing with ebay and there are dozens of other auction houses that can sell the stamps that Seigel takes a pass on. They have built their reputation over many decades, and their client list is a who's-who of philately. With annual sales in the 30-million-dollar range they don't need an off-centered 261. They are the champagne and caviar Bill Gross House with an inverted Jenny to sell every year. Not actually my cup of tea actually but I use them when it makes sense. I am more of a Rasdale box lot type of guy, but I am telling you what they are about.

So, you pursue your dreams and let us know how it goes. All the best to you.

Over and Out