11/11/2019
The APS member, who wishes to remain anonymous, tells us “I bought about 6 panes of the stamps, about 2 days after their issue date. About 2-3 panes down in my stack I found the 2 panes and noticed something that seemed very different about them. I set them aside but was unsure what they really were.” A few months later, he submitted both panes to the American Philatelic Expertizing Service for identification and authentication.
The two panes sent to the APEX Expert Committee lacked any evidence of die cuts. Because, as the owner described, the panes were found in the middle of a stack, it is unlikely that the sheets did not go through the die cutting process. They were simply skipped as the sheets moved through the die cutter.
For each of these two error panes, the American Philatelic Expertization Service will be issuing a certificate stating: “United States Scott No. 5393 var, full pane of 20, plate position 1, die cut omitted, unused. Genuine. One of two panes submitted simultaneously and identified as the discovery copies.”
When a Scott catalog number is issued for this error variety, APEX will issue replacement certificates with the new catalog number.
There will be a complete article regarding this find in the January 2020 issue of The American Philatelist magazine. Current and past issues of The American Philatelist are available to read online now.
The American Philatelic Expertizing Service (APEX) has been serving the philatelic community since 1903, offering in-depth, expert opinions on philatelic material. More information on APEX is available on the stamps.org website.
Gary Wayne Loew
Gary Wayne Loew is the former Editor in Chief of The American Philatelist.
Follow the American Philatelic Society on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, like our page on Facebook, and subscribe to our Youtube channel.
View More by Gary Wayne Loew
UNPA to Issue Endangered Species Stamps
GASS 2024 to Host Duck Stamp Art Tours
CCC Announces 2023 Pratt Award Winner
Canada Post Raises Awareness with Frog Stamps
New Member Appointed to Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee
Matthew Liebson Appointed to APRL Board of Trustees
Stamp Collecting
Mercury/Hermes Stamps - S3E15
Incredible Chinese Zodiac Stamps
Best Stamp Collecting Tongs/Tweezers
China Postage Stamps - S3E14
National Library Week 2024: Meet Your Digital Librarian
U.S. Postal Service Recommends New Prices for July 2024
USPS Unveils Hank Aaron Stamp
National Library Week: Ready, Set, Library!
USPS Honors Betty Ford
Civil War Philatelic Society Donates to Boston 2026
Scott English, Executive Director
Susanna Mills, Editor in Chief
X