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Identifying Secret Marks
1873 Continental and 1879 American Bank Note Issues
Tiny reference points were engraved in the Continental Bank Note and American Bank Note designs to differentiate them from the originals done by the National Bank Note Company.
While the secret marks on the Continental and American Bank Notes are the same, the printings can be distinguished by the Hard (Continental) and Soft (American) paper used to print the stamps.
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HOW TO FIND THE SECRET MARKS |
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1¢ (#156, 182). A small crescent is visible in the pearl at the left of the numeral "1". |
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2¢ (#157). Since the small diagonal line under the scroll at the left of "U.S." seldom shows clearly, the best way to identify this stamp is by its brown color. |
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3¢ (#158, 184). Heavy shading under the upper tail of the left ribbon. |
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6¢ (#159, 186). Darkening of first 4 vertical lines in lower part of left ribbon. |
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7¢ (#160). Small semi-circles at ends of lines outlining ornament at lower right corner. |
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10¢ (#161, 188). Small crescent cut into ball directly under "E" of "POSTAGE". |
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12¢ (#162). End of ball in numeral "2" is a crescent. |
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15¢ (#163, 189). V of color at bottom of triangle in upper left corner. |
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30¢ (#165, 190). The upper triangular protrusion in the letter "S" of "CENTS" is widened and less distinct. This secret mark appears on some but not all of the American printings. |
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