#491 - 1916 2ยข TYPE II No watermark, perf. 10 vertically
See below for details
Basic Info
2¢ carmine, carmine rose
TYPE II
(Scroll down below for help identifying a type II)
Subject: George Washington
Printing Method:: Rotary press
Perforations: 10 vertically
Watermark:: no watermark
Scott #: 491
Quantity Issued: 295,500
Issued: November 17th, 1916
Value for pairs
Used
$75 - $375
No postmark with gum (MH)
$2,400 - $3,600
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$25,000 - $30,000
Joint Lines
A solid line between two stamps, seen along the perforations in the middle, was the joint where two plates meet, the ink fills in the gap. They would be placed between each pane of 17 stamps. They can triple the value of the pair.
Largest Multiple
The largest known use of #491
Courtesy of Steven Unkrich
The right perforation
Prior to this stamp coils had been issued in all manner of perforations. If the perforation was too large the stamps tore whilst separating from each other. Too small and the coils of stamps broke apart before they could be sold. The 10 perforation proved to be the ideal balance for coil stamps, and from this point on all coil stamps were issued with this perforation.
Earliest documented use
Earliest documented date of use, December 5th, 1916
How to identify a Type II
THE LEFT RIBBON'S DISTINGUISHING FEATURE
TYPE I, Ia and II
There is but a single shading line in the top fold of the ribbon at the left.
TYPE III
There are two shading lines in the top fold of the ribbon at the left.
THE RIGHT RIBBON'S DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
TYPE I, Ia and II
There is but a single shading line in the bottom fold of the ribbon at the right.
TYPE III
There are two shading lines in the bottom fold of the ribbon at the right
TYPE I and Ia
The first shading line after the first ribbon fold of the right ribbon often appears as a single, unbroken line. At times there maybe one or two indistinct breaks. The bottom third of the line often appears stronger
TYPE II and III
The first shading line after the first ribbon fold of the right ribbon usually appears as a series of three dashes
THE BUTTON'S DISTINGUISHING FEATURE
TYPE I
The outline of the toga button is thin and sometimes broken
TYPE Ia
The outline of the toga button is stronger than the other types
TYPE II and III
The outline of the toga button is complete and fairly strong
THE LOCK OF HAIR'S DISTINGUISHING FEATURE
TYPE I and Ia
The lock of hair on Washington's cheek will show only a faint, often broken, vertical line along its left edge. It will be slightly stronger on type Ia, but not as strong as type II and III
TYPE II
The lock of hair on Washington's cheek will show a distinct vertical line along its left edge, joining at least four of the horizontally engraved lines of the cheek
TYPE III
The lock of hair on Washington's cheek will show a distinct vertical line along its left edge, joining at least five of the horizontally engraved lines of the cheek
THE MOUTH'S DISTINGUISHING FEATURE
TYPE I
The dark line forming the mouth is almost straight or may even curve slightly upward at the corner of the mouth
TYPE Ia
The dark line forming the mouth is a strong straight line with a downward stroke at the corner of the mouth
TYPE II
The dark line forming the mouth is crooked
TYPE III
The dark line forming the right end of the mouth is crooked and it also dips down
THE EAR'S DISTINGUISHING FEATURE
TYPE I and Ia
Directly below the ear there are several shading lines which are clearly severed, resulting in the appearance of a thin, white, vertical line
TYPE II
Directly below the ear there are several shading lines which are severed, and the breaks are narrower than those of the type I stamp. Thus the impression is of a thinner and shorter white line, although certainly more pronounced than the type III design.
TYPE III
Directly below the ear the shading lines have been closed up to such a point, that the thin white line visible in type I, Ia and type II designs has all but dissapeared.
THE PONYTAIL'S DISTINGUISHING FEATURE
TYPE I and Ia
The two lines shading the hair at the top of the ponytail, directly behind the ear are of unequal length
TYPE II
The two lines shading the hair at the top of the ponytail, directly behind the ear are approximately the same length, the bottom one being very slightly shorter
TYPE III
The two lines shading the hair at the top of the ponytail, directly behind the ear are approximately the same length, the top one can be slightly longer
The 1916-22 Coils
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