Types of the Offset 2¢ Washington
The Dots Above the Lip

The Number of Dots Above the Lip on the Offset Stamps

Type IV

There are four horizontal rows of two dots each above the lip. As with Types V, VA, and VI, there is some variation, but never 4 rows with 3 dots each.

Type V

There is great variation in the number of dots above the lip. Some Type V's have 1 or 2 dots per row. The above example has several rows with three dots. However, Type V never has all four rows with three dots each.

Type VA

As in Type V, there is great variation in the number of dots above the lip. Some Type VA's have 1 or 2 dots per row. The above example has several rows with two dots. Type VA never has all four rows with three dots each.

Type VI

As in Type V and VA, there is some variation in the number of dots above the lip. Some Type VI's have 1 or 2 dots per row. The above example has several rows with two dots. Type VI never has all four rows with three dots each.

Type VII

There are four horizontal rows of three dots each. This is the key element in the determination of a Type VII stamp.