| Types of the 2¢ Washington: the Locks of Hair |
| The Length of the Lines of Shading in the Locks of Hair |
Type I
Type Ia Type II Type III
The bottom two locks of hair do not extend to the vertical lock of hair just to the right of them. This is often described as "the bottom lock of hair is shorter than the locks above it", although it isn't that apparent. This is another defining feature of Type I stamps.
The bottom two locks of hair do not extend to the vertical lock of hair just to the right of them. This is another defining feature of Type I and Ia stamps.
The bottom two locks of hair extend to or nearly to the vertical lock of hair just to the right. This is another defining feature of Type II stamps.
The bottom two locks of hair extend beyond the vertical lock of hair just to the right of them. This is another defining feature of Type III stamps.
Textual descriptions can not show the differences between the types as well as the pictures do. Try to keep a mental image of the three types as you make your identifications. It should be noted that the Type II stamps are usually much sharper and printed in a heavier ink than Types I and III. This shows up quite clearly in the above examples.
