CAROL "EAR OF WHEAT"/ "SPIC DE GRAU"

Every collector has a favourite - and for me  Romanias Carol stamps between 1893 - 1908 are the alltime favourites -
loads of watermarks, perforations, cancellations, printing errors, essays, pairs imperf in the middle, perfins and so on and on and on.....
Its hard to browse through a minor collection of these without finding something special.

There is a lot of possible varieties here - my basic advice is to concentrate on the watermarks and later look at papers. Start with the four UPU colour changes - (5B, 10B, 15B & 25B).
Pre-UPU (5b blue, 10B green, 15B red and 25B lilac) can be found with three basic watermarks: a/small Wm 2  , b/ big Wm 4  and c/ thin Wm3 on thick paper 
Post-UPU (5B green, 10B red, 15B black & 25B blue) can be found with two basic watermarks (Stema Mare + Wm5) and without watermark  (+wm Iohanot et cie)
(it is mentioned and also listed here Post-UPU with wm 4. As far as I understand that is an extremely rare freak accident. Don�t expect to find it.)
Having done that, the other values ought to be easily sorted. Then you can try to sort by paper
Images of watermarks
All numbers here are CMR74. *=mint o=used. As for values - my sources are 29 years old....   I put an x = given a price in CMR
A   -,-  indicates that CMR gives no value, but that it exists = scarce.
Red -,- or number  indicates stamp that is not listed in CMR74, but that collectors claims to have found it. Not proved.
Perf: A = 13 1/2     B = 11 1/2     C = 11 1/2 : 13 1/2     = 13 1/2 : 11 1/2.
If there is anything here you find to be wrong, inform me! This is a collectors help, not the bible!
ABOUT TYPES Mr Roberto Opizzis collection
ESSAYS Mr Yasuki Otas collection
SPECIALS Ing C. M. Trevers
Spic de Grau - flaws & varieties
  

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1893
Not circulated. Essay. 3b yellow, 10b brown, 15b red, 25b green. Only mint.

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IA.1893/94  Wmk II   Most usual perforation= A   Most usual position = 1
Small PR 11,5 mm high, 15,5 mm wide, distance between P and R 4,5 mm,
halfcircle of P 6mm high, halfcircle of R 4,5mm high
Paper thin (0,075 - 0,08 mm) soft, porous, white.
1 + 2L issued November 1893. Earliest known cancellation December 1893.
Lower values issued jan - feb 1894. earliest known cancellation March 1894.
    A* Ao C* Co D* Do Positions
100a 1 1/2B black x x x x x x 1,2,3,4
101a 3 B brown x x         1,2
101ab 3 B chocolate x x         1,2
102a 5B blue type I+II x x x x x x 1,2,3
102ab 5 B light blue tI+II x x x x x x 1,2,3
103a 10 B green tI+II x x x x x x 1,2,3,4
103ab 10 B dark green I+II x x x x x x 1,2,3,4
104a 15 B red t I x x x x x x 1,2,3,4
104ab 15 B carmine t I x x x x x x 1,2,3,4
105a 25 B light violet x x     -,- x 1,2,3
107a 50 B orange x x         1, 3, 4
108a 1 L brown/rose x x -,- -,- -,- -,- 1,
109a 2 L orange/brown x x -,- -,- -,- -,- 1,2
109ab 2 L reddish orange/brown x x -,- -,- -,- -,- 1,2
Horizontal pairs, imperf in the middle  : 1 1/2, 3, 5, 15, 50 2L  2L    (10b x+y)
Vertical pairs, imperf in the middle     : 1 1/2, 3, 5, 15 15again! and again, 25, 2L
One collector lists 3 and 5 bani with perforation B, another has found 40 bani green perf A pos 2

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IB.1894  Wmk II   Most usual perforation= A   Most usual position = 1
Small PR 11,5 mm high, 15,5 mm wide, distance between P and R 4,5 mm,
halfcircle of P 6mm high, halfcircle of R 4,5mm high
Paper thin (0,075 - 0,08 mm) thin, soft, light yellowish paper
Issue not listed in CMR - further information:
Hans Georg (Der gegenw�rtige stand der Spic de Griu-forschung...) and Const. Marius Jianu (Filatelia 7/1978)
    A* Ao C* Co D* Do Position
  1 1/2 B black -,- -,-         1
  3 B brown -,- -,-         1
  10 B green -,- -,- -,- -,- -,- -,- 1
  15 B red -,- -,-         1
  25 B violet -,- -,-         1
  50B orange -,- -,-         1

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IC.1895 january  Wmk IV    Most usual perforation= A   Most usual position = 1
Big PR 14 mm high, 14 mm wide, distance between P and R 3,5 mm,
halfcircle of P 7,5mm high, halfcircle of R 6,5mm high
Paper thin (0,075 - 0,08 mm) , shiny, yellow.
    A* Ao B* Bo C* Co D* Do Positions
99b 1 BANI x x         x x 1, 2, 4
100b 1 1/2 B x x     x x     1,2,3,4
101b 3B chocolate brown x x x x     x x 1,2,3
101b 3 B brown red x x x x     x x 1,2,3
102b 5B blue TI+II x x         -,- -,- 1,2,4
  5B darkblue I+II x x         -,- -,- 1,2,4
103b 10B green TI+II x x             1,2,3,4
103b 10B emerald green TI+II x x             1,2,3,4
104b 15B red x x x -,-         1,2,3,4
105b 25B violet x x             1,2,3,4
107b 50B orange x x             1,2,3
108b 1L brown/red x x             1
Possible without wmk: 1 BANI

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ID.1895 september  Wmk IV   Most usual perforation= A   Most usual position = 1
Big PR 14 mm high, 14 mm wide, distance between P and R 3,5 mm,
halfcircle of P 7,5mm high, halfcircle of R 6,5mm high. 5B exists PR with additional horizontal line.
Paper of differing thickness (0,085 - 0,105 mm) white, coarse
Earliest cancellation september 1895.
    A* Ao B* Bo C* Co D* Do Positions
99c 1 B brown x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4,5,6
100c 1 1/2B black x x           -,- 1,2,3,4
101c 3B brown x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4,5
102c 5B blue TI+II x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4,5
102cb 5B dark blue TI+II x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4,5
103c 10B green x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4,5,7,8
103cb 10B emerald green x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4,5,7,8
104c 15B red TI, II x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4,5,6
104cb 15B dark red TI, II x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4,5,6
105c 25B violet x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4
105cb 25B light violet x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4
105cc 25B brown violet x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4
105cd 25B fire violet x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4
105cE 25B blue (nov 97) x x         x -,- 1,2,3,4
105cE in pair w 102c x x         x -,- 1,2,3,4
106c 40B green-blue x x     x x     1,2,3,4
106cb 40B dark green x x     x x     1,2,3,4
107c 50B orange x x x 5 x x     1,2,3,4
107cb 50B lemon yellow x x x 5 x x     1,2,3,4
108c 1L brown/red x x   -,-         1,2,3,4,6
Possible without wmk: 1B (perf A), 3B (all perf), 5B (perf A,B,D), 10B (A,B,C), 15B (all), 25B (all), 40B (all, B+D rare), 50B (perf B), 1L
Pairs imperf in the middle, horizontal: 1B, 3B
Pairs imperf in the middle, vertical:

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IE.1897 january  Wmk III   Most usual perforation= A + B   Most usual position = 1
PR 12,5 mm high, 14 mm wide, distance between P and R 4 mm,
halfcircle of P 7mm high, halfcircle of R 6,5mm high. 5B exists PR with additional horizontal line.
Thick paper (0,100 - 0,105 mm) smooth, stiff, light yellow paper
Earliest cancellation january 1897.
    A* Ao B* Bo C* Co D* Do Positions
99d 1 B brown x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4
101d 3 B chocolate brown x x x x     x x 1,2,3,4
102d 5 B blue TI+II x x x x     x x 1,2,3,4
102db 5 B dark blue TI+II x x x x     x x 1,2,3,4
103d 10B green TI+II x x x x x x x x 1,2
103db 10B dark green TI+II x x x x x x x x 1,2
104d 15B red TI, II x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4
104db 15B dull red x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4
105d 25B light violet x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4
105db 25B dull violet x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4
107d 50B orange x x x x         1,2,3,4
108d 1L brown/red x x x x         1,2,3
Possible without wmk: 50B
Pairs imperf in the middle horizontal: 1B, 25B
Pairs imperf in the middle vertical: 3B, 10B, 15B
One collector list 2L with wmk III 

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IF.1898 september  Wmk IV   Most usual perforation= A   Most usual position = 1
Big PR 14 mm high, 14 mm wide, distance between P and R 3,5 mm,
halfcircle of P 7,5mm high, halfcircle of R 6,5mm high. 5B exists PR with additional horizontal line.
White paper, horizontally striped (25 stripes on 2 cm). Rare - most known stamps cancelled 1898.
    A* Ao B* Bo C* Co D* Do Positions
99e 1B brown x x             1
101e 3 B chocolate x x x x x x     1,2,3
102e 5B blue TI+II x x x x     x x 1,2,3
102eb 5B dark blue TI+II x x x x     x x 1,2,3
103e 10B green TI+II x x x x     x x 1
103eb 10B dark green TI+II x x x x     x x 1
104e 15B red T II x x x x     x x 1,2,3
104eb 15B dull red T II x x x x     x x 1,2,3
105e 25B light violet x x         x x 1,2,3,4
105eb 25B dull violet x x         x x 1,2,3,4

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IG.1898 Wmk V   UPU Coulours  Most usual perforation= A   Most usual position = 2
PR 14,5 mm high, 13,5 mm wide, distance between P and R 3,5 mm,
halfcircle of P 7,5mm high, halfcircle of R 7mm high. .
White paper, horizontally striped (25 stripes on 2 cm).
    A* Ao B* Bo C* Co D* Do Positions
99f 1B light brown x x x x x x     1,2,3,4
101f 3B brown red x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4
110f 5B green x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4
111f 10B red tI+II x x x x x x x x 1,2,3,4
112f 15B black tII x x x x x x -,- -,- 1,2,3,4
113f 25B blue x x -,- -,- -,- -,- -,- -,- 1,2,3,4
107f 50B orange x x             1,2,3,4
108f 1L brown/red x x             1,2,4
109f 2L orange/brown x x -,- -,-         1,2,4
One copy is known of 10b red with wmk IV

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IH.1898 Wmk V   UPU Coulours  Most usual perforation= A   Most usual position = 2
PR 14,5 mm high, 13,5 mm wide, distance between P and R 3,5 mm,
halfcircle of P 7,5mm high, halfcircle of R 7mm high. .
White paper, nonstriped , raw to touch. Rare.
    A* Ao B* Bo C* Co D* Do Positions
99g 1B brown x x -,- -,- -,- -,- -,- -,- 1,2
101g 3B brown x x             2
110g 5B green -,- x             2
111g 10B red -,- x x x x x x x 1,2
112g 15B black -,- x     x x x x 1,2,3
113g 25B blue -,- -,- -,- -,- -,- -,- -,- -,- 2,3
All values known without wmk

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Ii.1898   Wmk IV   Most usual perforation= A   Most usual position = 1
Big PR 14 mm high, 14 mm wide, distance between P and R 3,5 mm,
halfcircle of P 7,5mm high, halfcircle of R 6,5mm high. 5B exists PR with additional horizontal line.
White paper, raw to touch. Rare! Mentioned only by Hans Georg.
    A* Ao B* Bo C* Co D* Do Positions
  5B green -,- -,-     -,- -,-     1,2
  10B red -,- -,-             2
  15B black -,- -,- -,- -,- -,- -,- -,- -,- 1,2

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IJ.1898 Wmk V   UPU Coulours  Most usual perforation= A   Most usual position = 2
PR 14,5 mm high, 13,5 mm wide, distance between P and R 3,5 mm,
halfcircle of P 7,5mm high, halfcircle of R 7mm high. .
Horizontally ripped (vargata) paper
    A* Ao B* Bo C* Co D* Do Positions
99h 1B brown x x x x x x x x  
101h 3B brown x x x x x x      
110h 5B green x x     x x      
111h 10B red x x x x x x x x  
112h 15B black x x x x x x x x  
113h 25B blue x x x x     x x  
107h 50B orange x x              
108h 1L brown/red x x              

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II.1900 Wmk Stema Mare  Perforation=B (Positions 1 = head up, 2 = upside down)
    A* Ao B* Bo C* Co D* Do Positions  
114 1 B brown     x x         1-2, 3-4 A display
115 3 B brown     x x     x x 1-2,3-4 A display
116 5B green x -,- x x -,- x -,- x 1-2 A display
117 10B red     x x -,- x -,- x 1-2 A display
118 15B black     x x -,-- x -,- x 1-2 A display
119 25B blue     x x         1-2,3-4 A display
120 40B darkgreen -,- x x x -,- x -,- x 1-2,3-4  
121 50B orange -,- x x x -,- x -,- x 1-2,3-4  
122 1L brown/red -,- x x x         1-2  
123 2L orange/brown     x x         1-2  
Possible in combination with wmk Johannot et cie Anonnay (extremely rare)

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IIIa.1900 august.  No wmk,  thin white paper, backside light red
Exists with wmk Johannot et cie Anonnay
    A* Ao B* Bo C* Co D* Do
124a 1B light brown x x x x x x x x
124b 1B light brownred x x x x x x x x
124c 1B dark brown x x x x x x x x
125a 3B brown x x x x x x x x
125b 3B brown red x x x x x x x x
125c 3B rose     -,- -,-        
126a 5B greenblue TII x x x x x x x x
126b 5B emerald green TII x x x x x x x x
127a 10B dull red TI+II x x x x x x x x
127b 10B light red TI+II x x     x x x x
127E 10B orange TI+II         x -,-    
128a 15B black TII x x x x x x x x
128b 15B dark black TII x x x x x x x x
128c 15B dark grey TII x x x x x x x x
129a 25B blue x x x x x x x x
129b 25B dark blue x x            
129c 25B pale blue x x x x        
130a 40B green blue x x x x x x x x
130b 40B dark green blue x x x x x x x x
131a 50B orange x x x x x x x x
131b 50B redish orange x x x x x x x x

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IIIb 1901.  No wmk,  thin white paper, backside light red
Exists with wmk Johannot et cie Anonnay
    A* Ao B* Bo C* Co D* Do
132a 1 BAN light brown TI+II x x x x     x x
132b 1 BAN light brownred x x x x x x x x
132c 1 BAN dark brown x x x x x x x x
133a 15B grey TI x x x x x x x x
133b 15B dark grey TII x x x x        
133c 15B grey violet x x x x x x x x
133d 15B dull grey violet x x x x x x x x
133e 15B dark grey violet x x x x x x x x
134a 1L brown/red x x x x        
134b 1L light brown/red     x x        
135a 2L orange/brown x -,- x x        
135b 2L dark orange/brown     x x        

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IIIc  No wmk,  thin white paper, backside light red
Exists with wmk Johannot et cie Anonnay
    A* Ao B* Bo C* Co D* Do
136a 1 BAN black TI+II x x x x x x x x
136b 1 BAN ash grey x x x x x x x x
136c 1 BAN light grey x x x x x x x x
137a 5 B emerald green TII x x x x x x x x
137b 5 B grey olive x x x x        
138a 10B red rose TI+II x x x x x x x x
138b 10B fire rose TI+II x x x x x x    
138c 10B aniline-rose T1+II+III     x x x x x x
138d 10B carmine TI+II+II     x x x x    
139a 15B violet TI x x x x x x    
139b 15B dark violet x x x x x x x x
139c 15B light violet -,- -,- x x x x x x
140a 1L green blue/black x x x x x x x x
140b 1L light green/light black x x x x x x x x
141a 2L brown red/black     x x        
141b 2L light brownred/grey     x x        

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IIId.1908 No wmk, White paper, thicker
    A* Ao B* Bo C* Co D* Do
136Da 1B grey T1+II     x x x x x x
136Db 1B smoke black x x x x x x x x
125Da 3B brown red     x x x x    
125Db 3B brown-orange     x x x x    
137Da 5B green yellow TII     x x x x x x
137Db 5B grass green TII     x x x x x x
138D 10B carmine TI+II+III     x x x x    
139Da 15B dull violet TI     x x x x    
139Db 15B fire violet TI     x x x x x x
129D 25B dark blue     x x x x    
130D 40B dark green     x x x x    
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illustration  courtesy of CMR74