King George V Definitive Issues
Watermarked Multiple Script CA
Updated - January, 2018
Identifying the Bahamas KGV watermark MSCA issues is primarily a matter of determining the difference between the two watermarks, and finding the various color shades. This set was in use from 1921 until it was replaced with the KGVI Set in 1937.
The two watermarks used for the KGV definitive issues were the Multiple Crown CA and Multiple Script CA. All of the stamps in this set were printed on paper watermarked Multiple Script CA. I find it is easiest to see the watermarks by placing the stamps against black paper and looking at them under a strong light. If you can't see the watermark under these conditions, feel free to use safe watermark fluid. The various catalogues have good examples of these watermarks, but if you just look for either the difference in the shape of the crown, or the font used. The Multiple Crown CA uses a sans-serif style font. The Multiple Script CA watermark uses an italic style of font.
Most of the colors are fairly easily seen against black paper with a strong light. It helps if you have more than a few copies so you can start to see the contrast. The comments made about colors under the stamps are in relation to the other stamps, so it helps if you have more than a few copies when you make your comparisons.
The catalog numbers are from the 1980 Commonwealth Five Reigns Catalogue (CW), 2011 Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogue (SG) and the 2011 Scott catalog (ST). The description is from the Commonwealth Catalogue. Please contact Bridger & Kay to obtain a copy of this publication.
The images were saved in a larger size and at a higher resolution so you can more easily see the details used in sorting them. Please be patient if it takes a few minutes for this page to load. You should also note that colors shown on the internet are not exact, so use the colors shown in reference to each other rather than as an exact match.
Multiple Crown CA
Multiple Script CA
1/2d Green
1/2d Bright Green
1d Carmine-Red
1d Deep Carmine
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| CW G76 - SG 117 - ST 73 1-1/2d Red-Brown |
CW G77 - SG 118 - ST 74 2d Grey |
CW G78 - SG 118 - ST 74 2d Slate-Grey |
| This stamp is a little paler than CW G78. |
The Slate-Grey color is deeper than CW G77. |
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| CW G79 - SG 119 - ST 75 2-1/2d Dull Ultramarine |
CW G80 - SG 119 - ST 75 2-1/2d Ultramarine |
CW G81 - SG 119 - ST 75 2-1/2d Bright Ultramarine |
| Sort these three shades based on the intensity of the
color. Assuming you have multiple copies, look for bright or dull variations. |
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3d Purple on Pale Yellow Paper
3d Purple on Deep Yellow Paper
I can think of for KGV issues.
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| CW G83 - SG 121 - ST 77 4d Pale Yellow |
CW G84 - SG 121 - ST 77 4d Yellow-Orange |
CW G85 - SG 121 - ST 77 4d Yellow (Value in Brown) |
| Look for the pale color in sorting for this printing. |
This shade is deeper than the other two. |
Notice the deeper impression of the lettering in the value tablet. |
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6d Bistre-Brown
6d Deep Bistre-Brown
the deeper colored issues.
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| CW G88 - SG 123 - ST 80 1/ Grey-Black & Carmine |
CW G89 - SG 123 - ST 80 1/ Black & Carmine |
CW G90 - SG 123 - ST 80 1/ Jet-Black & Carmine |
| This is the palest of the color options. | The Black is not quite as deep as Jet-Black. |
This is the deepest of the colors |
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| CW G91 - SG 124 - ST 83 5/ Dull Purple & Blue |
CW G92 - SG 124 - ST 83 5/ Purple & Bright Blue |
CW G93 - SG 125 - ST 84 £1 Green & Black |
| Notice the frame color is a little paler. |
The frame color is a little deeper. | No other printing is listed. |
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This article was written to help you identify your stamps.
Please feel free to ask a question, or include a correction.
We are always interested in additional shades or more information on these
stamps. Please feel free to let us know if you have anything helpful.