The Secret Mark on the 15¢ Webster Bank Note
Although many older texts, as well as the Scott catalogue, mention a secret mark forming a "V" in the upper left triangle, it is thought this is misleading and we have declined to show it as such. Instead we suggest you differentiate these issues by the definition of the fine lines in the upper triangles, and, particularly, to the left and right of the numeral "15" as shown below.
This is a difficult stamp to separate based on the "secret" mark, mainly because it is thought by most that the secret mark was never used on this stamp. Cyril F. dos Passos writes that although Continental produced a die with a secret mark, it apparently was never used to make a transfer roll. According to Elliot Perry, it is possible that the only definitive Continental printings are the ones on ribbed paper. Some suggest that color be used as the primary means of separating the National and Continental printings. The jury is still out on a definitive method to determine which printing a particular stamp was from. Even a certified stamp, other than a grilled stamp which is of course always the National printing, is simply a stated opinion that the stamp in question is one or the other. The reader is invited to share their views on the subject and if we deem we have received enough input, we will publish the results as well as opinions giving credit as due, either on this page or in a short article linked to this page.
National Bank Note Company
No secret markScott 141 and 152 - There is a distinct definition in the fine lines to the left and right of the numeral "15" and also the definition of the lines in the upper triangles. According to the noted color study of R. H. White, this stamp is usually a brighter and often darker orange than the Continental or American printings and is listed in his color encyclopedia with both orange and bright orange variations. Looking at White's illustrations under a full-spectrum light, all that can be said with certainty with these admittedly old eyes, is that some of the Continental and American illustrations have a distinctly reddish tint, while the National printings do not.
Continental and American Printings
Note the plate wearScott 163 and 189 - There is poor definition in the fine lines to the left and right of the numeral "15". This stamp is usually a duller orange, and runs the gamut from yellow to red orange. White lists these stamps as having the following color variations: yellowish orange, pale orange, reddish orange (3 shades) and orange. The American stamps, in addition to being on the porous paper, often tend toward the reddish orange. It is thought by some that the only definitive way to separate a Continental from a National printing is if the stamp is on ribbed paper. This same distinction is also made for the rare 24¢ stamp, Scott 164.
