The genuine originals and Reprint II printed from Die I have "secret marks", a scratch of color above the first "k" of "k.k." and a dot 2.5 mm SW of "G" and another 3 mm SE of "t" in the word "Gesellschaft". The "secret marks" have been removed from Reprint III, but a shadow remains. There are no "secret marks" on Reprint I or on the forgeries.
(1.) Perf 12 original.
(2.) Type 3 (scar at 9:00 o'clock at left anchor ring).
(3.) Exp: APS cert. Plating Info: T. Balm.
(1.) Another perf 12 original.
(2.) Type 3 (scar at 9:00 o'clock at the left anchor ring).
(3.) Exp: T.Balm
(1.) Perf 12 original.
(2.) Type 1 (slightly flat top on "c" of Dampfschiffahrt, also flat top on "s").
(3.) Exp: T.Balm
(1.) Perf 12 original.
(2.) Type 8 (hairline mark beneath thin line under "a" of Donau, also weak break in thin line under "Da" of Dampf.
(3.) Exp: T.Balm
(1.) Rough perf 9.5.
(2.) Die II. All the "f's" have rounded tops.
(3.) Exp: T.Balm
(1.) Rough perf 9.5
(2.) Printed from the original Die I.
(3.) Type 3 (scar at the left anchor ring).
(4.) Secret marks still remain.
(5.) Exp: T.Balm
(1.) Clean cut perf 9.5.
(2.) Printed from the original Die I.
(3.) Type 3 (scar at the left anchor ring).
(4.) Secret marks have been removed.
(5.) Color of this reprint is brighter than the originals.
(6.) Exp: T.Balm
(1.) Clean cut perfs 9.5.
(2.) Printed from the original Die I.
(3.) Type 2 (down stroke of the "s" of Erste is thinner).
(4.) Secret marks have been removed.
(5.) Color of this reprint is brighter that the originals.
(6.) Exp: T.Balm.
(1.) Perf 12.5.
(2.) No dot after the value.
(3.) No shading in the anchors.
(4.) "7" has a curly top and a round bottom.
(5.) Exp: T.Balm
(1.) Perf 13 or imperf.
(2.) Tall letters touch the inner oval.
(3.) 17-kr. red exists on this forgery also.
(4.) Exp: T.Balm.
(1.) Clean cut perf 11.5 or imperf.
(2.) Cross bars on t's and f's go only to the right.
(3.) Vertical leg of the "7" is curved.
(4.) Tops of the "f's" are rounded (like Die II).
(5.) Exp: T.Balm