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The Admiral Stamps of Canada: Identifying the Different Dies on the Admirals.
by Randall W. Van Someren (ENA3D)

The Admirals were in use for 16+ years, and from time to time during this period, the dies for nearly all denominations were retouched and/or re-engraved. The dies of three denominations were replaced with completely new dies. This page shows how to tell the difference between the original dies (die I) and the new dies (die II) of the 1¢ yellow, 3¢ carmine, and the 1T¢ War Tax stamp.

Die Differences on the 1¢ Yellow Admiral.

The serifs on the bottoms of the numerals of die I (the original die) are small and barely visible. On some stamps the numerals seem to widen a bit at the bottom, but that is all. However, on die II (the new die), the serifs are clear cut and very visible. Notice also the horizontal lines abutting the left side of the numeral box. On Die I, there are 14 horizontal lines between the bottom line and the top line of the numeral box; on Die II, there are only 13 lines.

The N of ONE is separated from the white oval band surrounding the portrait by at least one full horizontal line of shading on Die I. On Die II, the N of ONE is separated from this oval band by a very thin line. Notice too, that the letters of ONE CENT are larger on Die II than on Die I.

Die Differences on the 3¢ Carmine Admiral.

Die I (the original die) has 2 complete white dashes over the T of THREE, with partial dashes at each end. Die II (the new die) has 3 complete white dashes over the T of THREE. Note too, the three leaf stems coming down toward the T of THREE. On Die II, the middle stem has at least 4 white dashes along the upper side; on Die I these dashes are missing.

Die I has 3 complete white dashes over each E of THREE. Die II has only 2 complete dashes over the first E of THREE and the stem of a leaf comes down over the second E of THREE and interrupts the line of white dashes. Note too, the top of the S of CENTS is longer on Die I than on Die II.

There are 3 horizontal lines on the King's chest at the very bottom of the portrait. On Die I, the right end of the bottom line does not touch the heavy diagonal line coming down toward it from the upper right. On Die II, the right end of the bottom line touches this heavy diagonal line. The place to look for this difference is right above the R of THREE.

Die Differences on the 1T¢ War Tax Admirals.

Die 1 (the original die) has a single line under the T of 1T¢. On Die II (the new die), the right half of this line has been replaced with 2 diagonal lines and 5 dots. On Die I there is a colored "bar" (for lack of a better word) running diagonally up from the right side of the 1 to the inside left corner of the T. On Die II this "bar" has been removed.

The differences described on this page should enable the stamp collector to tell the difference between the dies of these stamps. For some of these dies, there are other differences that I have chosen not to describe. For more information see The Admiral Issue of Canada by George C. Marler (1982); for the 1¢ die: pages 98-99; for the 3¢ die: p. 473-74; and for the 1T¢ War Tax die: p. 435.

The table below shows the Admiral stamps issued with more than one die.

Post Office Sheets of 100      
1¢ yellow p. 12 wet, dry Die I (wet, dry); Die II (dry)
3¢ carmine p. 12 dry Die I; Die II        
       
1¢ yellow imperf wet Die I
3¢ carmine imperf wet Die I
       
2¢ on 3¢,  one line overprint p. 12 dry Die I; Die II
2¢ on 3¢,  two line overprint p. 12 dry Die I
       
2¢ + 1¢ carmine, War Tax p. 12 wet Die I; Die II
2¢ + 1¢ brown, War Tax p. 12 wet Die I; Die II
       
Coil Stamps      
1¢ yellow p. 8 vert wet, dry Die I (wet); Die II (dry)
3¢ carmine p. 8 vert wet, dry Die I (wet); Die II (dry)
       
2¢ + 1¢ carmine, War Tax p. 8 vert wet Die I
2¢ + 1¢ brown, War Tax p. 8 vert wet Die I; Die II
       
Coil Stamps in Sheet Format      
1¢ yellow, vertical pair p. 8 vert wet, dry Die I (wet); Die II (dry)
3¢ carmine, vertical pair p. 8 vert wet Die I
       
3 ¢ carmine p. 12 x 8 dry Die II
2¢ + 1¢ carmine, War Tax p. 12 x 8 wet Die I
       
Booklet Panes      
1¢ yellow, pane of 6 p. 12 wet Die I
       
1¢ yellow, pane of 4 p. 12 wet Die I
3 ¢ carmine, pane of 4 p. 12 wet Die I

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