Trouble Spots

Scott #11 Type I (Die A) or #12 Type II (Die B) ?
by Robert Chambers, edited by Patricia A. Kaufmann

This guide will show you what to look for so you can proceed with confidence in determining if you have a Scott #11 Type I (Die A) or a #12 Type II (Die B) example. The term Die A is the same as Type I. The Term Die B is used interchangably with the term Type II. These two issues are frequently mis-identified. Other designs that are similar in many respects are designs for Dietz/Scott #9 and #10. See the next essay for a discussion on those issues.

First, a Little Story

Archer and Daly Engravers of Richmond created the dies for these designs. Archer produced the die for Type I, also known as Die A. Frank Halpin created the die for Type II, also known as Die B.

Type I was the design used to create the famous "frameline" 10¢ issue. The frame line is not inherent in the design. The copper plate used was initially scribed using a straight edge to serve as a guide for placing the individual transfers of the design on the plate creating #10. This same die was reused to create two steel plates, numbered 1 and 2, creating #11.

Type II was never used with a copper plate. Type II was also never involved in a plate with scribed lines to assist placement. So, if someone offers you a "frameline" 10¢ CSA stamp of the Type II variety, politely decline. Two plates of the Type II design, plates #3 and #4, also were manufactured.

The Telltale Signs
Shave and Haircut ... Two Types!

The easiest way to tell is the hair lines on the neck. The hair on Type I extends below the level of the ear. The bottom of the neck hair and the top of the beard align. Type II hair ends on the back of the neck at just about ear level. The bottom of the hair on the neck and and the curve of the lower lip align. If there is hair extending below the ear you have a #11. If the back of the neck is free of hair below the ear you have a #12. Another tonsorial tip-off is the beard. Just below the point of the chin the Type I beard has a small tuft of beard ending in line with the back of the lips. The Type II beard appears to be a single entity without this tuft.

Type I, Die A

Type II, Die B

Gash Above the "N"

Another distinguishing mark is a small area of die damage to Type I. Sometime, probably during the creation of the the copper frameline plate, a small bit of damage was done to the die. This resulted in all subsequent entries showing a distinct colorless vertical dash below the bust above the N of Cents. There is nothing remotely like it on Type II examples.

"Coufederate" or "Confederate"

The lettering of the word Confederate differs between Type I and Type II. The Type I die has what appears to be a "U" for an "N" in the word Confederate. Type II has an "N" in this position.

Extra Projections

The lower left corner of the design ornaments differ in several ways. The lower portion is more open on Type I than it is on Type II. Also, the heavy shading line in the lower ornament is longer and less vertical in Type I than it is in Type II., see the lower highlighted oval in the images below. There is a distinct extra scroll projection on Type II that is not present on Type I. Note the heavy "C" shaped line terminating this extra projection on Type II. See the upper highlighted oval area in the images below.

Open and Shut Case

The upper left corner of the design also holds some very good diagnostic material. The elaboration of the corner ornaments on Type I is very restrained in comparison to the Type II examples.

Some copies of Type II show a faint line that totally encircles the design while conforming to the outer contours of it. This is a feature that does not appear on every stamp from Type II. It is never present on Type I. This is not pictured.