Constant Varieties

So many constant "flyspeck" varieties exist on this issue, it is possible to plate the positions of most stamps of all values. Some of the major varieties are listed below, more will be added.

This major variety appears only on stamps with border type C2 (coarse screen). The 25c value (1979-D01-10) is part of the original printing, while the 10c (1979-D01-07a) and 40c (1979-D01-13a) are reprints, originally having fine screens. The original prints with fine screen C1 do not have this constant variety. The 45c sheet with the mixed screen types (plate 1A) does not have this variety, as screen type C5 appears in the position at row 1, stamp 3.

Variety Summary:

1. 10c Regular stamp, coarse screen C2
2. 10c Official stamp, coarse screen C2, litho overprint
3. 25c Regular stamp, coarse screen C2
4. 25c Official stamp, coarse screen C2, litho overprint
5. 25c Official stamp, coarse screen C2, typo overprint (very rare)
6. 40c Regular stamp, coarse screen C2
7. 40c Official stamp, coarse screen C2, typo overprint

Position:

Row 1, Stamp 3
(Labels and gutters are not counted)

1c Squirrelfish Broken "Q"

This variety exists on the fine screen printings (C1) only (1979-D01-01). It appears to have been corrected on the coarse screen reprints.

Variety Summary:

1. Regular stamp, fine screen C1
2. Official stamp, fine screen C1, typo overprint

Row 5, Stamp 1

This variety exists on the C2 coarse screen reprints only.

Variety Summary:

1. Regular stamp, coarse screen C2
2. Official stamp, coarse screen C2, litho overprint

Update 2008-Sep-21: This variety may NOT be constant, despite several examples known.

The exact location is unknown, but it comes from stamp 2 in one of the rows from 3 to 8. Marginal blocks are known from booklet panes. More information is required.

50c Plate Scratch

The 50c stamp only exists with the C4 coarse screen.

Variety Summary:

1. 50c regular stamp
2. 45c on 50c surcharge, typo overprint (very rare)
3. 45c on 50c surcharge, litho overprint
4. 50c official stamp, litho overprint

Row 7, Stamp 3

$5 Spur on "5"

The $5 stamp only exists with the C1 fine screen.

Variety Summary:

1. Regular stamp
2. Official stamp, typo overprint
3. Official stamp, litho overprint

Row 9, Stamp 4