Tim,
It really depends on the time-frame. If you are talking about modern coils, like the Transportation Series, then the next question is mint or used? Mint coil collectors often collect PNC (plate number coil) strips. Collectors of used coils are often looking for PNC singles or interesting on-cover usages.
Let me give you an example from the Transportation Series:
I collect press varieties, but not tagging or gum varieties. I often use plate numbers to narrow down the identification of the stamp.
============================= HOWEVER ======================================
If you are talking about early coils, especially 3rd Bureau (Washington-Franklin Series), it's a whole different ball game with LOTS of fakes in the marketplace.
Lars
Daveodd has been putting a bunch of them into the auction-jump on them. Use your Scott's Specialized catalog and track each of the issues that have coils. Many do, many do not. Some are insanely expensive, most not so. If you think I could be of any help, don't hesitate to ask me.
Best,
Dan C.
Hi Lars,
Any suggestions on good places for me to start reading?
Regards ... Tim.
Thanks Dan. You posted just as I was responding to Lars.
Tim.
Lars approaches the field like a General aligning troops-very complete, orderly and scholarly. The plate and press identifications never really captured me, but clearly it is a most worthwhile approach. My approach is more serendipitous, sort of early Salvation Army accumulations. Sometime when I grow up I'll try to sort like Lars does, but for now I'm into the joy of the hunt and the securing of the trophy.
Dan C.
"Hi Lars,
Any suggestions on good places for me to start reading?
Regards ... Tim."
"My approach is more serendipitous"
Tim,
The Plate Number Coil Collectors Club has a wealth of information on coils. You can access on internet.
http://pnc3.org/
bulldog
(Modified by Moderator on 2014-01-28 07:38:07)
Lars and Bulldog, thanks very much for the help.
Regards ... Tim
Tim,
for modern coils, for which I use the Americana series because it is the first to use PNCs on the stamps, you could look to our own Saleem, who maintains a database describing each possible PNC combo, with tagging, paper, die cut, and P/V teeth varieties. When I collected PNCs, I found it an invaluable resource and depressing reminder of how little I know and how much more is out there.
David
Very nice Transportation Coil page, Lars! Nice in appearance/arrangement and well-annotated.
"but it seems that US uses a shorter wavelength than some other places so you need to be sure and get the correct lamp"
"...I use the Americana series because it is the first to use PNCs on the stamps,"
"...you could look to our own Saleem, who maintains a database describing each possible PNC combo, with tagging, paper, die cut, and P/V teeth varieties."
Kim, i might have a copy, but, if so, it will be out of date. i'll look. Saleem is more likely to have amended it, and have a more useful copy, but he's often away.
you might be right about the flag stamp; it's the right period, 1981, about the time the Americana series was introduced.
David
Tim,
For early U.S. Coils stay away from ebay. As usual it is loaded with fakes from the mid-values on up. I would not buy any Washington -Franklin coil with a price of $20.00 and up without certification or direct knowledge of the item or seller.
Ross
AMSD, You talk about the Americana series and state it was issued in the 1980's. The series that was the first to use PNC's was the Transportation Series in 1981 with the 18 cent Surrey. The first PNC (plate number coil) was the 1981 Flag and Anthem issue, Scott # 1891. There was a Great Americans series that began at about the same time but they were regular stamps as opposed to coils.
Peter
yikes, Peter, I stand humbly corrected
I should keep to covers where, while I don't know any more, there are so many fewer people to correct me.
David
"I should keep to covers where, while I don't know any more, there are so many fewer people to correct me."
that has been my approach to life, too, Bobby. But here is one of the few places where I know something and the people are those to whom I generally would like to converse. I could always just go into "listening" mode. I know my daughter would be mightily glad for it.
you know, I always thought I got a good grade in socializing, because it read: "asocial" but i could never understand why.
"I always thought I got a good grade in socializing, because it read: "asocial" but i could never understand why."
at least we're not running along the scythe o path, Lars
Hi Everyone,
I'm not really a US collector, but have been starting a nice little collection of US Coils. I don't know anything about them really. Where is a good place for me to start gathering information?
Regards ... Tim.
re: Info on US Coils
Tim,
It really depends on the time-frame. If you are talking about modern coils, like the Transportation Series, then the next question is mint or used? Mint coil collectors often collect PNC (plate number coil) strips. Collectors of used coils are often looking for PNC singles or interesting on-cover usages.
Let me give you an example from the Transportation Series:
I collect press varieties, but not tagging or gum varieties. I often use plate numbers to narrow down the identification of the stamp.
============================= HOWEVER ======================================
If you are talking about early coils, especially 3rd Bureau (Washington-Franklin Series), it's a whole different ball game with LOTS of fakes in the marketplace.
Lars
re: Info on US Coils
Daveodd has been putting a bunch of them into the auction-jump on them. Use your Scott's Specialized catalog and track each of the issues that have coils. Many do, many do not. Some are insanely expensive, most not so. If you think I could be of any help, don't hesitate to ask me.
Best,
Dan C.
re: Info on US Coils
Hi Lars,
Any suggestions on good places for me to start reading?
Regards ... Tim.
re: Info on US Coils
Thanks Dan. You posted just as I was responding to Lars.
Tim.
re: Info on US Coils
Lars approaches the field like a General aligning troops-very complete, orderly and scholarly. The plate and press identifications never really captured me, but clearly it is a most worthwhile approach. My approach is more serendipitous, sort of early Salvation Army accumulations. Sometime when I grow up I'll try to sort like Lars does, but for now I'm into the joy of the hunt and the securing of the trophy.
Dan C.
re: Info on US Coils
"Hi Lars,
Any suggestions on good places for me to start reading?
Regards ... Tim."
re: Info on US Coils
"My approach is more serendipitous"
re: Info on US Coils
Tim,
The Plate Number Coil Collectors Club has a wealth of information on coils. You can access on internet.
http://pnc3.org/
bulldog
(Modified by Moderator on 2014-01-28 07:38:07)
re: Info on US Coils
Lars and Bulldog, thanks very much for the help.
Regards ... Tim
re: Info on US Coils
Tim,
for modern coils, for which I use the Americana series because it is the first to use PNCs on the stamps, you could look to our own Saleem, who maintains a database describing each possible PNC combo, with tagging, paper, die cut, and P/V teeth varieties. When I collected PNCs, I found it an invaluable resource and depressing reminder of how little I know and how much more is out there.
David
re: Info on US Coils
Very nice Transportation Coil page, Lars! Nice in appearance/arrangement and well-annotated.
"but it seems that US uses a shorter wavelength than some other places so you need to be sure and get the correct lamp"
"...I use the Americana series because it is the first to use PNCs on the stamps,"
re: Info on US Coils
"...you could look to our own Saleem, who maintains a database describing each possible PNC combo, with tagging, paper, die cut, and P/V teeth varieties."
re: Info on US Coils
Kim, i might have a copy, but, if so, it will be out of date. i'll look. Saleem is more likely to have amended it, and have a more useful copy, but he's often away.
you might be right about the flag stamp; it's the right period, 1981, about the time the Americana series was introduced.
David
re: Info on US Coils
Tim,
For early U.S. Coils stay away from ebay. As usual it is loaded with fakes from the mid-values on up. I would not buy any Washington -Franklin coil with a price of $20.00 and up without certification or direct knowledge of the item or seller.
Ross
re: Info on US Coils
AMSD, You talk about the Americana series and state it was issued in the 1980's. The series that was the first to use PNC's was the Transportation Series in 1981 with the 18 cent Surrey. The first PNC (plate number coil) was the 1981 Flag and Anthem issue, Scott # 1891. There was a Great Americans series that began at about the same time but they were regular stamps as opposed to coils.
Peter
re: Info on US Coils
yikes, Peter, I stand humbly corrected
I should keep to covers where, while I don't know any more, there are so many fewer people to correct me.
David
re: Info on US Coils
"I should keep to covers where, while I don't know any more, there are so many fewer people to correct me."
re: Info on US Coils
that has been my approach to life, too, Bobby. But here is one of the few places where I know something and the people are those to whom I generally would like to converse. I could always just go into "listening" mode. I know my daughter would be mightily glad for it.
you know, I always thought I got a good grade in socializing, because it read: "asocial" but i could never understand why.
re: Info on US Coils
"I always thought I got a good grade in socializing, because it read: "asocial" but i could never understand why."
re: Info on US Coils
at least we're not running along the scythe o path, Lars