I'm Not Sure What To Do With This Brown 2c Banknote

The previous owner had it on the "special printings" page, but it can't be that because the special printings never have such nice perfs. It is clearly brown and dark brown at that. No sign of red. Comparing to other 146 it just doesn't fit. It's the only one that looks so brown. Definitely wove paper, not soft porous - no secret mark.

Was thinking of sending in for a cert, but maybe it's a waste. What can it be other than a 146? There doesn't seem to be any proof or essay that is brown on wove paper. What do you all think?

Likely a 157 Continental. Looks like a nice one. If it were mine, I'd send it for a cert - SCV of $325. It is definitely not a special printing.

even without a secret mark?

I would 100% go with 146.

This stamp clearly has a visible secret mark and (if the lighting be trusted - daylight) is the right shade for a Continental. It is a nice 157.

My eyesight must really suck because I don't see the secret mark.

I don't either.

rog -
You would not be the first person in history to struggle to see the secret mark on a 2c Continental. This one has a rather prominent one, as they go. The color shade is also a tell, but online that is not conclusive (even when it looks right).

Maybe so Essay! It isn't just the secret mark though. The background hatching of the portrait looks more in line with a 146. That is my two cents. So, who is going to pony up for a cert and settle this?

I had forgotten how hard it was to see the secret mark on the 2c. I'm going with 157 based on the color. It's no gum - not worth sending in from my perspective.

I see green or blue by the "2" bottom of stamp and at the top above the "T". also in the leave design on the left. Not sure what that means. I see the diagonal line secret mark.

After some time to review and ponder this I have come to a conclusion that the stamp is a 146, all day long. No if's, and's or but's. The color is more 146 than 157, there is no secret mark, and the background of the portrait screams146. I will defer to the crowd and move on but not before asking everyone to identify the two stamps below:

First stamp, 157. Second stamp, 146.

Using the same theory, the OP's stamp is a 146.

Edit: Hmm. Looking again, I probably got that backwards. Oh well ... wouldn't be the first time. It now seems to me that the OP's stamp is a 157.

Thanks for participating Partime.

Anybody else?

Isn't it the other way aound? In rogdcam post, 1st stamp is 147 and 2nd stamp is 156. 1st looks red brown and 2nd is brown. The secret mark is difficult on these pictures, but seems way more likely on 2nd stamp.

So, to recap, here are the three stamps starting with the OP's stamp which the majority voted as 157: