Riverside Stamps
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Suspect Scott #386, Used Single (6/2/19).
The Scott #386, Single Line Watermarked, Perf 12 Vertically, Flat Plate Press Horizontal Coil. This is a moderately priced stamp with a catalogue value of $100.00. This coil is often faked and can be made from a #384 by adding counterfeit perforations to the top and bottom, from a #384V imperforate vertical coil by adding counterfeit perforations to the top and bottom, from a #375 by trimming the perforations off the left and/or right and from a #375a booklet stamp by trimming the perforations off the left or right.
The watermark is part of a reversed single line “S” on the right edge near the bottom that reads horizontal which means that the suspect is not from a #375a booklet single. At first I thought that the watermark was the bottom of a “U” that read vertically but comparing the suspect to a booklet stamp showed that the suspect is narrower and taller than the booklet stamp which makes the suspect a sheet stamp.
Natural Light
Enhanced
The images below show the suspect overlaid on a #375a booklet stamp. Because booklet stamps are printed with the paper grain going horizontal they shrink in the vertical direction while sheet stamps are printed with the paper grain going vertical and they tend to shrink in the horizontal direction. The suspect is at the top and left in the images below.
The right edge is rough and wavy while the left edge, though rough, has the look and feel of a natural straight edge. Both edges are parallel with the frame. The width of the suspect is 20.25mm at the top and bottom which is narrower than the usual 21.5mm +/- 0.3mm.
The top and bottom perfs match well with genuine #374 perfs as well as showing signs of being genuine but do not show pressure ridges.
Conclusion: In my opinion the suspect is a Scott #37 used single with the perforations trimmed away from the right side, the left side is probably a natural straight edge.
Reference material used:
- The Expert's Book. A practical guide to the authentication of United States stamps. By Paul W. Schmid.
As always comments and suggestions are always welcome.
To Contact Riverside Stamps:
Email:
Mike Girard - Owner / Operator / Web Master:
g1rardmn1099@comcast.net
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I am a member of the American Philatelic Society
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I am a member of the United States Stamp Society  USSS #: 16733 Visit the United States Stamp Society Website at www.usstamps.org |
I am a member of the Perfins Club
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