Identifying US Large Bank Note Stamps

I go through my collection of US Bank Note stamps. I think I’ve finally got my head around identifying these issues enough to share what I’ve learned.
I’ve added a page to my blog with my identification table for these issues: kensstampcollection.blogspot....
Also, as always, I value these two sites when learning to identify US stamps:
The Swedish Tiger ID Page: www.theswedishtiger.com/ID.html
Stamp Smarter's 1847 USA Project Bank Note ID Page: stampsmarter.org/1847usa/iden...
An extra thank you to The Swedish Tiger for many of the images in this episode.

[@Braddad126]

Hi Ken, I love watching your videos sir. I am still learning about stamps and stamp collecting myself and these break down videos help me tremendously. Thank you for tackling the difficult and murky stamp topics and older stamp issues and then simplify it for us all. All of us beginners and novices appreciate the work you do in teaching and training us on the ins and outs of stamp collecting

[@KensStampCollection]

Glad it’s helpful. Thanks for watching

[@StevePettee]

This is the best explanation I've ever come across on identifying paper types. Thank you! I can't wait to put it to the test, as I've had to guess at a few of my banknotes.

[@KensStampCollection]

I’m there with you. Until I researched this better I’d been guessing in some places and found I had it wrong. Now the hard paper is easier to spot

[@christophersmeltser6564]

Super helpful information on soft versus hard paper! You’ve motivated me to go through some of my bank notes!

[@KensStampCollection]

I hope you find a treasure

[@winstonmarshall464]

Excellent review - I always learn so much from your videos.

[@KensStampCollection]

Awesome, thank you!

[@AuroraMills]

As always, a thorough, and well presented video. You have a great facility for treating your audience like adults. Thanks Ken!

[@KensStampCollection]

That’s very kind of you

[@ThreeStunStamps]

Love this new video Ken!!! ❤❤❤ excellent presentation of info as always!

[@KensStampCollection]

Thank you for the instagram reference!

[@voneschenbachmusic]

Again Ken very helpful. I only have a few of these but look forward to determining which varieties they are!

[@KensStampCollection]

Enjoy the sorting

[@williammikell2210]

Enjoyed the video, I will probably have to watch it 5 or 6 more times while going thru my stamps. My best stamp is a #149 well centered with a nice cancellation of 4 concentric circles centered on the neck. I got into stamp collecting about 10 years ago. I went to an estate action of a serious collector and ended up buying his remnant U.S. book. Even though it had been picked over pretty hard there were still a few good stamps in it. I have been adding back to to the book but will never be able to put in the high value stamps that were taken out. On the #1 price of $40.00 and #17 price of $25.00 are written in pencil under the images. These have much higher values now. there are many more pricing like that in the book that are out of my range.

[@KensStampCollection]

Oh, that 7c is a nice stamp. Funny how we can see the history of someone's work by the penciled in notes they leave. I assume the #1 was gone, but still, you can see he had it, and took it out, and that when he looked it up it cataloged for $40, quite a while ago. I love going through old books like that.

[@sheldonsimonis4236]

Thank you for this video. I have three stock book pages and a handful of covers that I need to determine what I have.

[@KensStampCollection]

I do hope it’s the kind of collection that this video helps with. These are nice stamps. Check for grill’s first, I think.

[@joeybloey3631]

Thanks Ken, your approach to the paper varieties was really helpful, I think the " light" finally came on for me.

[@KensStampCollection]

Much better than that flick test

[@GreatStampAdventure]

Hi Ken! Well, I am not within the first two days. 🙂 Thank you for another excellent video. I do not collect US stamps, but these varieties fascinate me, and I think the more I learn about varieties, the more I will also get a handle on varieties of other stamps. I also want to get to know the US stamps somewhat, because I sometimes get US stamps in world mixes or lots, and it will be nice to at least know to what complexity the stamps I am encountering can go. After that long "intro". I watched your video three times. I think one will remember better if you actually practically work through your own lot of stamps. I really think your video content is excellent!

[@KensStampCollection]

You are always so supportive and kind. Thank you

[@GreatStampAdventure]

I mean it! 🙂@@KensStampCollection

[@user-fx5wc8we2r]

it works thanks for clearing it up

[@KensStampCollection]

My pleasure

[@lauraorben7128]

I enjoy the way you break down each printing and the special marks. Mine are probably all 'common' but one can only hope to have a special one to be excited about. Are there closeups somewhere of the grilles? Those confuse me a bit about how they look... Q, can we use the spectacular way you identify your pages? Thank you again for your great videos :)

[@KensStampCollection]

I know the Scott specialized catalog has pictures of the grills, also check out ebay or HipStamp for good images. They can be confusing, especially because they are 2D images of a 3D triangle, which is sometimes coming out of the screen and sometimes going in. But, you know how light on those kinds of images can mess with your brain. They are hard, honestly, even when you have them in hand. As for my pages, I'm glad you like them. I'm happy to share any pages you want. Drop me an email. Since I use Scott numbers in them, i can share to individuals for personal use, but not for sale. But, yeah, happy to share. Let me know which you want.

[@lauraorben7128]

@@KensStampCollection I really appreciate your sharing your expertise and hard work in creating your tables. If I could try your large and baby bank note tables, that would be awesome. I think I remember you use ivory paper but I forget the weight. Does it have to be archival if we are mounting with hinges or should I be doing something different? LOL, the younger collector in me was always trying to figure out how they stamp all those little Z, H, & I's into the paper. Too funny!

[@KensStampCollection]

Pop me an email to send the file to -- kenflowers at comcast dot net. I use cream card stock from Staples. From memory, it's 65 lb. Some people say I should use something more archival, but I'm happy that modern papers are acid-free enough. I also bought a punch that rounds the corners on my pages. I think that keeps them neater. Also, I'm using open office format, but I can convert to Word if you prefer. Let me know. You may have to tweak a bit here and there, but you can rearrange these to your heart's content.

[@JOJo-jv2vb]

I can thank you so so much for your videos this is the only video after viewing 200 that makes sense.can u help me on S.E Washington booklet right side. Perf =L 10.5.U 10.5. V=11 On 5c I'm confused

[@KensStampCollection]

Well, I'm confused too. I can't find anything similar to what you are asking about. Since you posted the question to this Bank Note video, I first check there, but there is not a 5c Washington perf 10.5x11. But, then, perhaps you mean the Washington/Franklin stamps. There is a 5c Washington, but nothing perf 10.5x11. Finally, I wonder if you mean the next series with stamps that do have perf 10.5x11, but the 5c is not a Washington stamp -- that one is Roosevelt, Scott number 637. Let's try something. if you can take a picture and do a google image search, it might tell you some Scott numbers that it could be. Share that number back here and I may be able to help find your perf 10.5x11. Good luck with the puzzle.

[@janjonson3553]

i think all people who collect USA stamps have problems with recomgnized American bank notes issue stamps 🤧

[@KensStampCollection]

I agree. And that makes an opportunity to stumble upon something special

[@Acto22]

It's a lot sand to my truck going thru all that tiny things just to identify stamps.I don't think I have valuable stuff as I buy them one ebay. ..so lots bought from Europeans have been filtered by Americans dumped on ebay,bought by Europeans filtered by them no value dumped them on ebay again( just like Lincoln cents)...so don't expect to find rarities or errors on ebay.

[@KensStampCollection]

Probably not. Hopefully the hobby is fun without finding the rarities. It is for me. That said, I have found minor rarities in collections, so it's not impossible. But, certainly don't expect to find a $1000 stamp -- more like $50.

[@patiencezero-xc9zl]

I have spent MANY hours identifying soft paper and IMO the light test is by far the easiest way to detect soft porous paper. The pattern and mottled appearance is quite distinct and almost regular.....looking a bit like chain mail....many interlocking links, each "link" almost appearing trapezoidal with VERY rounded vertices.

[@KensStampCollection]

Great tip!

[@patiencezero-xc9zl]

Later set definitely more contemporary in design and less attractive, IMO. By the way, did you ever investigate the Micarelli stamp identification resource? I think you will love it! It is so handy!

[@KensStampCollection]

I agree. Haven’t had a chance yet, but I will.

[@patiencezero-xc9zl]

​@@KensStampCollection Your level of research and detailed analysis for identifying stamps is quite impressive and thorough in its own right. Have you ever thought of publishing it?

[@KensStampCollection]

Not really, I mean except for these videos. Not a bad idea though