New plate numbers reported for 2019 Flag coil stamps

By Charles Snee

New plate numbers have been reported for the two United States nondenominated (55¢) Flag coil stamps issued Jan. 27, 2019.

The new numbers are P2222 for the Flag coil printed and processed by Ashton Potter (Scott 5342) and B2222 for the Flag coil printed and processed by Banknote Corporation of America (5343). The P and B letter prefixes identify the two U.S. Postal Service contract stamp printers.

Both Flag coils were produced in rolls of 100 for sale at post offices.

On the rolls of the two coil stamps, the plate number is printed on every 31st stamp, centered along and reading up the right edge next to the flag design. The initial printings include plate numbers P1111 and B1111.

Linn’s learned about the BCA-printed Flag coil with the new B2222 plate number from a report in the March issue of Coil Line, the official journal of the Plate Number Coil Collectors Club.

The Coil Line report said that Flag coil stamps bearing the B2222 plate number were found Jan. 15 “at a small post office in North Carolina.”

Linn’s contacted USPS spokesman Roy Betts for additional details.

Betts explained that a second printing of both coils was ordered because the first-class letter rate (currently 55¢) did not increase in January 2020.

“We had the printers change the plate number for the reprints,” Betts said.

The second Flag coil printing from Ashton Potter also involved a change in the self-adhesive paper stock: from paper supplied by UPM Raflatac for the first printing, to Fasson paper supplied by Avery Dennison for the second, according to Betts.

Both printings of the BCA Flag coil were on Raflatac paper, Betts said.

Betts also said that the USPS could not confirm if Ashton Potter has shipped any Flag coils with plate number P2222.

Absent a plate number, the two Flag coils may be easily distinguished by examining the shape of the serpentine die cuts.

The peaks on Scott 5342 are wider at the base and somewhat more pointed than the peaks on Scott 5343, which makes the peaks on Scott 5342 look more like saw teeth.

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