Coil Test Stamps were created primarily to test tension chocks in coil vending equipment and stamp affixing machines. They can also be used for training purposes and mailing demonstrations.
In addition to testing tension, the test stamps with liners were used by mailers to adjust their own stamp affixing equipment. A recently found document shows that the linerless test stamp had several purposes. The main reason for this stamp was to test the new equipment that would be needed for affixing stamps that had no liner. Additionally, tests were also conducted involving the ability of the paper envelopes using linerless stamps to be recycled. Many tests were done with different concentrations of the linerless stamps using filters to determine if the new adhesive would adversely affect the quality of recycled paper.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) produced most of the early Test Coils, but in more recent years, private contractors have also produced a few Test Coils.
The first Test Coils with plate numbers appeared sometime in 1996.
Eagle Linerless Test Specimen | Coil Label from inside core of roll - only one known |
Scott # TD123, Krause/Minkus # TT107. Stamp is design of Scott # 2598 without Test Specimen overprint. Printer for the original stamp that is the same design as Scott # 2598 Eagle was National Label Company for 3M. Scott # 2598 was self adhesive but had a liner. 3M was also involved with the linerless coil and was probably the printer. 1 partial roll of 3000 known. Linerless with Plate # 1111. Plate number interval is 27. Imperforate with simulated perforations printed between stamps, no back numbers. Year discovered 1997. Approximately 60 plate number strips known. Tagged, stamp design measures 19 x 21.5mm.
Blue FTPO with straight edges | Coil Label (reduced size) |
Scott # TD 126, Krause/Minkus # TT103, Plate # 1111, rolls of 3000. BEP printer. Plate
interval is 21.
Self adhesive, A 4 digit back counting number every 20 stamps. Year discovered 1996.
Untagged, Stamp design measures 18mm x 21mm.
White FTPO with die cut | Coil Label |
Scott # TD127, Krause/Minkus # TT101. Rolls of 10,000. Avery is printer. Plate # V1, Plate interval is 15, self adhesive, die cut perfs measure 9.8, no back numbers. Year discovered 1996. Untagged, stamp design measures 18 x 20.75mm.
Blue FTPO with die cut | Coil Label (Reduced Size) |
Scott # TD 133, Krause/Minkus # TT116, Plate # 1111, rolls of 3000. BEP printer. Die
cut perfs measure 9.8.
Plate interval (I think is 21), self adhesive, no back numbers. Year discovered 2001.
Untagged. Stamp design measures 18 x 21mm.
Scan from Scott Catalog |
Scott # TD135. Serpentine Die Cut, 8.5 Vertical. Self Adhesive test stamp printed by Avery Dennison. Plate V1 with 2000 year date. Design features the South Carolina Flag in light blue ink.
Sennett Security Self-Adhesive |
Scan by Ron Maifeld |
Scott # TD137. Discovered in early 2005. Untagged, Plate S1, Die Cuts measure 11.5.
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