The 2¢ Washington of the First Bureau Issues of 1894 were retouched in the area of the triangles, resulting in three distinct varieties. These varieties are listed in the Scott 2000 Specialized Catalogue of U.S. Stamps & Covers as Types I, II and III, respectively. There is a fourth type, listed as Type IV, with the same characteristics as the Type III in the area of the triangles, but with many other areas of the design recut. These Type IV stamps are listed as 279B and sub-varieties.  Distinguishing the type of triangle on this stamp is relatively straightforward and should not present a problem. For a guide on how to distinguish the Type III and Type IV stamps click here.

Side-by-Side Comparison of Type I, Type II and  Types III and IV
 of the Two Cent Washington of 1894-1898

Type I  Solid Lines Through Triangle	Type II Lighter Lines Through Triangle	Types III & IV No Lines Through Triangle
Type I - The horizontal lines running through the triangle are solid and consistent in width throughout	Type II - The horizontal lines running through the triangle are thinner within than without.	Type III - The horizontal lines running through the triangle itself have been removed.
Notice the horizontal lines are solid all the way through the triangle.	Notice the lines run through the triangle, but get noticeably thinner once they meet the triangle itself.	Notice the absence of lines in the triangle itself.

Home Page

1847usa.com © 2002-2005 All rights reserved.