Riverside Stamps
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Suspect Scott #445 Unused Pair.
I was asked by a client to have a look at this suspect to see if it is genuine or not. According to The Experts Book this coil is often faked but there is only one certified fake used pair in 622 certificates returned in a Philatelic Foundation search. This is a fairly valuable stamp cataloguing for $1250 for and unused MNH pair.
This coil can be made by trimming the perforations off at the top and/or bottom of a fully perforate #426 or adding fake perforations as well as faking a single line watermark to a trimmed unwatermarked imperforate #483. The best fakes are made using the fully perforated #426 especially if the top or bottom is a natural straight edge with a large margin.
The supect has a single line watermark consisting of an inverted “U” straddling the center of the pair that reads horizontal. Whether the watermark is in normal or reversed orientaion is indeterminable.
The suspect is flat plate printed and measures a strong 24.5mm tall. The perforations match well with genuine gauge 10 perforations – see images below.
The top and bottom edges show no sign of perforation remains left over from trimming and there is no sign of a top or bottom horizontal guide line. A closer examination of the top and bottom edges show no sign of recent trimming – see the images below.
In conclusion I feel very confident that the suspect is indeed a genuine #445, MNH pair and told the client that it would be worth sening in this suspect to be authenticated.
Reference material used: used:
- The Expert's Book. A practical guide to the authentication of United States stamps. By Paul W. Schmid.
- How to Detect Damaged, Altered and Repaired Stamps. By Paul 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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