Rob1956

On booklet panes, the top two stamps are type A, and the middle and last 2 (4 stamps) are type B. To recognize A from B, type A has 4 lines inside the hook of the 5d and type B as 5 lines inside the hook of the 5d.
These two types are the result of a 2-on secondary die being used. The two stamps occur in alternate horizontal roes in both ordinary sheets and coils.
Type A: Four shading lines in loop (inside hook) of “5”, and shading line left of top of “d” short.
Type B: Five shading lines in loop (inside hook) of “5”, and shading line touches top of “d” and second line extends under top serif of “d”.

So, if you have a blue 5d stamp (1959-63) whether it is a booklet stamp from a sheet have a look inside the hook of the 5d, and you will notice the lines.

The following information is for booklet stamps.

1. The top two stamps have the four shading lines inside the hook of the “5”.
2. Middle of the pane will have 5 shading lines, the top, bottom and all sides perforated like the top two stamps.
3. The bottom two stamps will have 5 shading lines inside the hook of the “5d”; these two are very distinctive to where they are situated on the pane of 6. The left stamp has the left and bottom margin imperforate, and the right stamp has the right and bottom margin imperforate.

These are not rare stamps, but a nice curiosity if you like finding differences.

 
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Rob1956

re: 1959-1963 QEII 5d Blue - Type A & B

Hi Andrew

I'm happy to know that my posts is helping you with Australian pre-decimals, I have many many varieties of this particular stamps, including one that cost me nearly $4,000 to buy.
I will soon post them all. I have recently posted on Stamporama both the KGVI and QEII pre-decimal collection.

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