* * * * * THREE CENTS, RED. DIE 3. "THREE" in square label with a diagonal line across each corner _called "K Ends_." 8-1/2 loops on left; 9 loops on right. [Illustration] This die appeared in July, 1853, and exists on note and letter size envelopes. The former is extremely rare. Mr. Harrison, who has carefully studied this die, found two heads of Washington (XIII and XIV). He states, however, that: "in the heads in relief there is only a slight difference in the arrangement of the hair, which is of no practical use, as in most specimens of this series the head is so lightly impressed that it is impossible to detect any differences." Realizing how difficult it is to get a fine specimen of this die, the writer tried his best to obtain a clear impression, and the drawing shows that the search has not been in vain. HEAD XIII. Two small side-locks. (For further description see Head XIV). [Illustration] Variety 1.:--"C" of "Cents" low. HEAD XIV. [Illustration: XIV.] One short side-lock: A heavy eyebrow. A fine, short side-lock starts quite a distance from the latter and ends far from the ear-lobe. Together with the side-lock commences the short, lowest front-lock. Immediately above the latter commences the third front-lock, which is bifurcated to the middle. This is the main feature of the die. It is by far the heaviest strand and continues, uninterruptedly, into the queue. All other front or rear locks are short. Between the last-mentioned long front-lock and the short, lowest one lies a small rear lock, pointed at its start and broad at its end. Including the lowest front-lock, there are five locks in front and but three in the rear row, i.e., two above the long, bifurcated front-lock and a small one immediately below the latter. Variety 2:--"C" of "CENTS" high in the frame. THREE CENTS, RED. DIE 4. [Illustration] Wide label, measuring 20 mm. horizontally, with square ends; lower label short (17 mm.) but also with straight ends. 7 loops on each side. Issued July, 1853. Luckily the engraver has seen fit to use but one head for this issue and it is our old favorite, HEAD I, and needs no further description. There is but one variety, and none of the envelopes have the Nesbitt seal. [Illustration] Variety 1:--Letters of "THREE" very widely spaced, especially the last two letters. "T" nearer to left label than "E" to the right. "ENT" of "CENTS" nearer to each other than "C" to "E" and "T" to "S". The die has been used for note and letter size, i.e., Knives 1 and 2, on white, and for the latter on both white and buff paper. THREE CENTS, RED. DIE 5. [Illustration] The common die of the first series. Short labels (measuring 15 mm. horizontally) with curved ends. 9 loops on the left; 8-1/2 loops on the right. * * * * *