Philately – Varieties of Postage Stamps of the German Empire

1872. Eagle with a large shield.

CONSTANT VARIETIES
3 kreutzer
I Germany The inner circle is damaged below the letters DEU of DEUTSCHES.
Field №: 129 Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.25 II
Notes: –
15 kreutzer
I A colored dot below the second E in KREUTZER.
Field №: 14, 74–77 Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.28 I
Notes: –

date description

UNLISTED VARIETIES
2 groschen
1 A colored dot below the letter P in POST.

1875/79. Definitive issue.

PERFORATION TYPES
Due to adjustments of perforation tools, the dimensions of stamps of this issue vary. Stamps of normal size:

  • have horizontally 13 clear perforation holes,
  • measure between 19.5 and 20.5 mm across the stamp.

(+) indicates a more incomplete hole.
PI Wide (breite Marken), measure minimum 21 mm across the stamp, and have 14 clear holes
Other nomenclatures: Michel B
Notes: 5 pfe, 20 pfe
PII Wider (verbreiterte Marken), measure a minimum 20.5 mm across the stamp, and have 13 (+) clear holes
Other nomenclatures: Michel D
Notes: 3 pfe, 5 pfe, 10 pfe
PIII Narrower (verschmälerte Marken), measure maximum 19.5 mm accross stamp and have 12 (+) clear holes
Other nomenclatures: Michel CE
Notes: 3 pfe, 5 pfe, 20 pfe
PIV Narrow (schmale Marken), measure a maximum 19 mm across the stamp, and have 12 clear holes
Other nomenclatures: Michel C
Notes: –
CONSTANT VARIETIES
5 pfennige
I The ornament above the right triangle is damaged.
Field №: 14, 64 Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.31 I
Notes: –
II Scratches over the right edge.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.31 III
Notes: –
10 pfennige
I Horn-shaped flaw under the right “10”.
Field №: 52 sheet R Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.33I
Notes: Enlarged area.
II The line to the right of “0” in the right “10”.
Field №: 100 sheet R Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.33II
Notes: Enlarged area.
III Lines under “GE” in “PENNIGE” connected with white flaw.
Field №: 9 sheet R Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.33IV
Notes: Enlarged area.
IV Long diagonal streak from center base through “GE” of “PFENNIGE”.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.33VI
Notes: Enlarged area.
20 pfennige
I Flattened top to left top corner.
Field №: 1-9 Sheet R. Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.34I
Notes: Enlarged area.
25 pfennige
I A large nick on the left side above the “25” of the left denomination.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.35III
Notes: Enlarged area.
50 pfennige
I Fragmented top of left corner.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.36II
Notes: Enlarged area.
II Streak in the top left corner.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.36III
Notes: Enlarged area.
UNLISTED VARIETIES
10 pfennige
1a Lines in the border (1).
1b  Lines in the border (2).

1880. Definitive issue.

CONSTANT VARIETIES
10 pfennig
I White flaw on the base of  “10” (making it look like a´Q`).
Field №: Field 50 Sheet R Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.41IV
Notes: Enlarged area.
II Three lines connect under “ENN” of “PFENNIG”.
Field №: Field 60. Sheet R Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.41Va
Notes: Enlarged area. Additionally on the presented stamp: the top frame is broken by a white line from the ornament to the margin.
50 pfennig
I Missing bars closing left center pattern.
Field №: 2 Sheet L Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.44III
Notes: Enlarged area.
II Tip or ornament top center unfilled.
Field №: 83 sheet L. Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.44IV
Notes: –
III Broken tip of ornament top center.
Field №: 91 sheet L. Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.44V
Notes: Enlarged area.
IV Reduced dot in center upper ornament caused by lower adjacent lines in the triangle created.
Field №: 43 sheet R. Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.44VI
Notes: Enlarged area.
V Scratch across “NNIG” in “PFENNIG”.
Field №: 24 sheet L. Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.44VII
Notes: Enlarged area.

1889/1900. Definitive issue.

CONSTANT VARIETIES
TYPES
I A vertical line at the end of the letter C of REICHSPOST (looks like G).
Field №: 21, 26, 71, 76 sheet L. Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.52I
Notes: –
5 pf.
I Colored mark under and attached to “C” of “REICHSPOST”.
Field №: 15, 20, 65, 70 Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.46I
Notes: Enlarged area.
25 pf.
I Top of “I” in “REICHSPOST” indented.
Field №: 22, 27, 72, 77 sheet L. Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.49II
Notes: Enlarged area.
CONSTANT VARIETIES
3 pf.
I Break top left in “O” of “POST”.
Field №: 50 sheet L Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.45II
Notes: Enlarged area.
5 pf.
I Comet-shaped flaw below the upper right coil.
Field №: 21, 26, 71, 76. Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.46III
Notes: Enlarged area.
I Break in “R” of “REICHSPOST”.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.46IV
Notes: Enlarged area.
10 pf.
I Horizontal line over the letter T of REICHSPOST.
Field №: R/7 Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.47I
Notes: –
II “T” in “REICHSPOST” is open at the top center.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.47II
Notes: –
III Short foot on “P” on the right side “PF”. Position 49 and others, sheet R.
Field №: 49, Sheet R Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.47III
Notes: –
IV Wedge in left frame line between left top leaves.
Field №: 47, Sheet R Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.47IV
Notes: –
V Bar at the left of the denomination.
Field №: 7, Sheet R Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.47V
Notes: –
VI Scratch across left “PF”.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.47VI
Notes: Enlarged area.
VII Broken inside of “O”in “REICHSPOST”.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.47VII
Notes: Appears in various stages.
VIII Top of “1” in “10” damaged.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi. 47VIII
Notes: Appears in several states. Enlarged area.
25 pf.
I The top right of “I” in “REICHSPOST” is damaged.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.49III
Notes: Enlarged area.
II Colored dot at the top left of the left coil.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.49IV
Notes: Enlarged area.
50 pf.
I Horizontal break on “T” of “REICHSPOST”.
Field №: 39 Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.50I
Notes: Enlarged area.
II Diagonal and vertical scratches (broken plate) on the left side of the stamp.
Field №: 36 Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.50II
Notes: –
III White mark near the base of the right upper coil.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.50IV
Notes: Enlarged area.

1900. Definitive issue: Germania (I), inscription REICHPOST.

CONSTANT VARIETIES
10 pf.
I The “O” in “REICHSPOST” is damaged at the top left.
Field №: 56/18 Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.56V
Notes: –
25 pf.
I Top of “R” in “REICHSPOST” damaged.
Field №: 59/2 Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.59II
Notes: –
II A streak in the right lower corner box.
Field №: ? Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.59X
Notes: –
40 pf.
I The “OST” of “REICHSPOST” shifted down.
Field №: 60/18 Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.60VII
Notes: –

1 April 1902. Definitive issue: Germania (II).

CONSTANT VARIETIES
3 pf.
I Germany 1902 postage stamp plate flaw DFUTSCHES The bottom horizontal line of the letter E in DEUTSCHES is missing, looks like F (DFUTSCHES).
Field №: 35, 90 Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: Michel Mi.69I
Notes: –
FORGERIES
3 pf.
Forgery of variety I:

  • The bottom horizontal line of the letter “E” in “DEUTSCHES” is scratched out.
Genuine Forgery Forged stamp

1905/1913. Definitive issue: Germania (III).

CONSTANT VARIETIES
25 pf.
I Short top to “5” in “25” on the left side.
Field №: 2 A Pane: N/A
Other nomenclatures: –
Notes: –

1912. Airmail issue. Airmail on the Rhine and Main.

UNLISTED VARIETIES
10 Pf.
1 A distinct white dot at the right of the “P” in “Pf”.

 

Bibliography

  1. Michel Deutschland-Spezial 2005, Band 1: 1849 bis April 1945. Schwaneberger Verlag GmbH, ISBN 3-87858-144-0