THREE CENTS, RED. DIE 2.
The "Straight End" Die.
Short labels with straight ends.
8-1/2 loops on the left; 9 loops on the right.
It is generally conceded that this die is one of the earliest made, because many of the envelopes bear the Nesbitt tress or seal on the flap.
In addition to Head 1, used for Die I, there now appear two new ones. This issue is also noticeable because in each of the three varieties the lettering is about the same. For this reason a knowledge of the heads is imperative for identification of the varieties. It may also assist the collector to note that Head I exists only with the seal on the flap of the envelope, and that in Heads XI and XII the garment at the back of the neck has four folds in contradistinction to Head I, in which the garment has but two folds.
As far as we know, letter size envelopes, bearing Die 2, were issued in July, 1853, and note size in September of the same year. Excepting note size (Knife 1 of the present list), all other envelopes exist on both white and buff paper.
Variety 1, Head I:—As this head has been fully described and illustrated under Die 1, it needs no additional remarks.