George C. Baxley |
| Scott 16 | Scott 16A | Scott 16B | Scott 16,16A,16B |
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| Second Printing | First Printing | Third Printing | All Three Printings |
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Measurements Sheet Layout Varieties & Errors General Comments
Wide Spaced "1 0" - Wide Bars
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Sheet Layout of Scott 16B (3rd Printing). All stamps have same type font Kai Tei overprint. The type is sometimes referred to as 8 point (small) font. However, the actual font is not identical to the 8 point font found on the first or second printing.
There is one position in the 16B series that looks like a stamp from the 16 (2nd printing) series. That is position 95 where the "10" is narrowly spaced. Standing alone, this stamp could well be classified as a 16. To distinuish it, you need to examine the downward stroke of the second character of the "Kai" as it goes under the first character. In the 16B the stroke is short. In the 16 series, the stroke is much longer.
16B (3rd printing) - Short Stroke
16 (2nd printing) - Long Stroke
Position Variation
9 also 30 Top horizontal stroke in "Kai" is short
measuring .4mm versus the normal .8mm
10 also 96 Narrow spaced "10" appears similar to 16 (2nd printing),
distance between "1" and "0" is less than 1mm versus
the norm of 1.5+ mm (not constant in pos 10)
25 also 35,85 Wrong large font "Yen" - similar to 9p font
26 Small font "Tei", "j" character appears thick/darker
measuring 2.8mm horizontally by 2.6mm vertically as
compared to 2.6mm x 2.4mm.
30 also 9 Top horizontal stroke in "Kai" is short
35 also 25,85 Wrong font "Yen"
49 White spot (ca 1/3 in from left) on the large heavy bar,
sometimes referred to as "worm eaten bar"
51 Left end of large thick bar rounded rather than pointed
54 Asterisk omitted -- Major Error - early printing, few \
copies (11 copies) are known, see 71 below for another
major error.
54 "Kai Tei" dropped - normal is 4mm between "*" and "Kai Tei"
measures 2mm on this stamp, vertical dimensions (from top
of "Kai Tei" to outside of bottom bar) measure 17.3mm vrs
the normal 19.1mm, see 87 below. Scott describes as
"Kai Tei" 1.25 above asterisk
60 "1 0" spaced wider than the normal. Normal is 1.6mm
from the shank of the "1" to the left of the "0".
This variety measures 2mm.
64 Right end of heavy bar rounded rather than pointed
d
71 "Kai" omitted - Major Error - Scott 16Be & JSCA 16Cva.
Stamp (MNH VF) described as this in block with positons
51-52, 61-62 attached sold in Michael Rogers auction of
Dec 6, 2002 for $5,750.00. See 54 above for another
major error.
76 White sky variety in basic stamp
84 "1" deformed, top serif partially missing, bottom horizontal
line to left of vertical downstroke broken or missing
In lower right corner block, click here
85 also 25, 35 Wrong large font "Yen" - similar to 9p font
87 "Kai Tei" dropped (only 2mm - normal is 4mm between "*"
and "Kai Tei"), JSCA listed, see 54 above
96 also 10 Narrow spaced "10" appears similar to 16 (2nd printing),
distance between "1" and "0" is less than 1mm versus the
norm of 1.5+ mm
(Scott 16Bf strip of three)
Miscellaneous/Unlisted - Varieties (not in Scott or JSCA, probably not constant)
74 Indent (upward curve) on bottom thin bar (ca 1/4 in from left)
93 Deformed "1"
In lower right corner block, click here
94 Deformed "1"
In lower right corner block, click here
"J" does not touch next character
Base of "1" broken & deformed (pos unknown)
Deformed "1" Base of "1" is broken and deformed (pos unknown)
Slanting Bars Noted in numerous positions
Inscription Block 6 Lower right block of six with inscription
Higa Block Upper right lock of six with Higa seal ??
Pos 14 Thick top curved stroke in Kai (minor variety)
General Comments
Quantity Printed:
16 200,000
16A 200,000
16B 40,000
440,000 Total
Gum on 16 Series Stamps. Don't expect to find 16 series stamps with nice clean shinny gum. While they certainly can be found in that condition, it is not the norm. The norm for this series is a dry flat appearing gum. In some cases the gum has browned slightly. Pencil Plate Position Annotations on the gum side of 16 series stamps. A common practice of dealers who broke up sheets of the 16 series was to make light pencil annotations of the sheet positions on the stamps. In my opinion, this adds to the value of the item rather than detracts. It ensures that you can quickly and accurately plate the stamp(s). Below is an illustration of the back of a 16 series stamp which shows the dry flat gum and dealer's pencil annotation of position.
Forgeries. By the term forgery, I am referring to a stamp that was made with the intent to defraud the postal service of revenue. They are manufactured and used without paying the postal service. There are well documented forgeries of the 10 yen Kai Tei overprint. Two such forgeries are called the Gushikawa forgeries. These are discussed in From the Dragon's Den, Volume 15:2, (Whole No. 49) April, 1983. The overprints appear different than the genuine 16, 16A, 16B and they can easily be confirmed as forgeries if they have part of Gushikawa cancel (1953) as show below. Forgeries are in demand. Most collectors do not have them. Consider yourself fortunate if you have a 16 series forgery in your collection. Two types of the Gushikawa forgery have been recorded (See FTDD 15:2).
Type a. The first type has the large middle bar (pointed on both ends) with a pair of bars (thick and thin) above and below the center bar. In this respect the stamp is similar to the genuine 16s with a total of 5 bars at the bottom of the overprint. The balance of the overprint appears to have been applied separately and at times the "10" rests on the upper thin bar. The "0" in "10" is usually shorter than the "1". The forgeries (to defraud the Postal Agency) are listed and valued in a footnote in the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps & Covers at the conclusion of the listing of stamps in the 16 series. The footnote advises of the two types of forgeries. Perhaps because it is so obvious, the type b forgery is the one that I see the most.
Another Type b. Counterfeits. By the term counterfeit, I am referring to a stamp that was made to defraud stamp collectors. Unfortunately, counterfeits of the 16 series also exist. This is a very specialized area. The counterfeits are also discussed in the previously cited article (FTDD 15:2). My advice would be to acquire copies of all three printing that you are confident are genuine. Carefully, compare these with others and if they don't match - be cautious. Sun Philatelic Auctions Number Ninety Four, which closed July 26, 1998, offered a very extensive collection of 16 series stamps. There was one lot of 81 counterfeits. It had an estimated cash value of $2,500.00. Covers. Any of the 16 series stamps on cover is an excellent item. I have a steady demand for this series on cover. If you have them to sell, please contact me. |
George C. Baxley, PO Box 807, Alamogordo, NM 88311
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