COGH 1858-64 Triangular One Shilling Varieties

1863-64 SG 21 1 Shilling bright emerald green

(Sc 15 emerald) / De La Rue Printing

Into the Deep Blue

The main collector challenge for the Cape of Good Hope One Shilling varieties is cost (CV $300-$725), but identification can still be a bit tricky.

As the previous posts have outlined with the COGH triangles, the main separation, for the One Shilling denomination, is between the Perkins, Bacon (PB) printings of 1858-59, and the De la Rue (DLR) printings (using the PB plates) of 1863-64.

One Shilling Shade Study SG colors

Upper Row PB issue: 1859 Deep Dark Green (two stamps); 1858 Bright Yellow Green (two stamps)

Lower Row DLR issue: 1863-64 Bright Emerald Green (two stamps)

Perhaps the easier determination is looking at color.

The PB printings are found in SG deep dark green and SG bright yellow green (Scott: Dark green and yellow green).

The DLR printings are found most commonly in SG bright emerald green (Scott: emerald).

There is enough of a difference with the "emerald" (DLR) and the "yellow or dark green" (PB) colors, that most collectors should have little trouble.

Then, one can also look at general characteristics that identify and separate out the PB and DLR printings.

Scott says (regarding DLR stamps): "Often appear with granular ink or with background lightly printed in whole or part".

SG says (regarding DLR stamps, and 1 shilling in particular): "the fine lines of the background appear blurred, and broken when examined under glass".

Let's take a look at some PB and DLR 1 shilling examples. 

Example 1

1858 SG 8 1 sh bright yellow green/ white paper

(Sc 6 1 sh yellow green)/ PB printing

The most common (at rather the least expensive CV @ $300) is the 2-18-58 issued PB yellow green.

Reverse- 1858 SG 8 1 sh bright yellow green/ white paper

(Sc 6 1 sh yellow green)/ PB printing

The reverse is on "white" paper. Note the "anchor" watermark. I should remind the collector that "white paper" really means "non-blued paper". The paper itself for PB printings can be white, yellow, cream or tan.

Close-up: 1858 SG 8 1 sh bright yellow green/ white paper

(Sc 6 1 sh yellow green)/ PB printing

Note The PB "Hope" is a fairly sharp printing, and the background shows enough detail to be called "semi-sharp". (Compare with a DLR printing later.)

Example 2

1858 SG 8 1 sh bright yellow green/ white paper

(Sc 6 1 sh yellow green)/ PB printing

This PB yellow green has a fine large obliterator cancel.

Example 3

1859 SG 8b 1 sh deep dark green/ white paper

(Sc 6a 1 sh dark green)/ PB printing

The other color shade seen for the PB printings is "dark green" This was issued in 1859, and the CV is $600 used/ $450 unused.

Example 4

1859 SG 8b 1 sh deep dark green/ white paper

(Sc 6a 1 sh dark green)/ PB printing

This rather worn copy also shows the "dark green" shade.

Example 5

1863-64 SG 21 1 sh bright emerald green

(Sc 15 1 sh emerald)/ DLR printing

Definitely an "emerald" color. CV is $725 used/ $625 unused.

Reverse: 1863-64 SG 21 1 sh bright emerald green

(Sc 15 1 sh emerald)/ DLR printing

DLR printings of the one shilling always have a "white" paper reverse. Note the "anchor" watermark.

Example 6

1863-64 SG 21 1 sh bright emerald green

(Sc 15 1 sh emerald)/ DLR printing

This is a pretty "emerald" DLR stamp, except for the tear/gouge/hole at the top.

Close-up: 1863-64 SG 21 1 sh bright emerald green

(Sc 15 1 sh emerald)/ DLR printing

Note, characteristic of 1 sh DLR stamps "Hope" is less finely printed, and the engine-turned background is devoid of pattern detail.

Out of the Blue

This concludes our survey of the COGH triangular PB/DLR stamps. What fun it has been!

Comments appreciated!