Scotts #178 US stamps

#178 - 1875 Continental Vermilion 2¢

2¢
Vermilion

Subject: Andrew Jackson
Number Issued: 279,000,000
Perforations: P12
Printer: Continental Bank Note Co.
Paper: Hard white yellowish wove paper
Scott #: 178
Date Issued: June 21st, 1875

#178 Value

Used
50¢ - $1
No postmark with gum (MH)
$20 - $60
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$400 - $1,000

#178a

178a
Imperforate

#178a Value

Used
No sales recorded
No postmark without gum (MH)
$120 - $200
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
No sales recorded

#178b

178b
Bisect
Value approx. $750

#178c

178c
grilled
Value approx., mint with gum, $130

#178c Counterfeit

178c Forgery
A fake grill has been added to #178 to appear as a #178c

A change of color

The 2¢ denomination's brown was so close in color to the 10¢ value that it was decided to change the color to vermilion, the old color of the 7¢ stamp which was no longer issued,

Hard paper vs soft paper

The snap test

Some people can also ID hard paper be “flicking” the edges and thereby “feeling” the stiffness of the paper versus the feel of soft paper if flicked in the same way. Hold the stamp between the thumb and forefinger and "snap" it close to your ear. A high pitched reply is hard paper. A dull thud, "flop", or no sound, is soft paper. This is not a particularly accurate test.