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  Washington Head: Denomination in Numerals: 15 Cents Stamps  

Scott 340 - 15c Washington Perf 12 D/L Wmk

Washington Head
15 CENTS


Watermark Check - You will need to check the watermark on this stamp. There is no need to check the printing method since these stamps were printed by the flat plate method only. 

Watermark Scott Number
double-line 340
double-line (blue paper) 366
single-line 382


This stamp comes in the famous "blue paper" variety, although quite rare and unlikely to show up in an unchecked mixture of Washington Franklins. The "blue" is actually a "gray color", not really "blue", but  it may take on a slightly bluish tint. The stamp was made with a higher percentage of rag content (about 30%) resulting in a grayish tinge to the stamp. As a first check, be certain the stamp is double-line watermarked, all "blue papers" are double-line watermarked. Fortunately, double-line watermarks are hard to miss, if you don't see one the stamp is suspect. If you think your stamp is the "blue paper" variety, you MUST have this stamp certified. Even faulty, poorly centered examples of this stamp command a premium far in excess of the certification fee. If the stamp is genuine, it will retrieve a far higher price when certified. Conversely, do not purchase a non-certified copy of this stamp. If the seller is unwilling to pre-certify the stamp, there is a high likelihood that the genuineness of the stamp is in question.



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