10 CENTESIMI

 

This stamp was printed both on hand-made paper as well as on machine-made paper (from around mid 1857), with thickness and quality very variable (from semi-transparent to "cardboard", from 0.05 to 0.15 mm and beyond), using the "original" coat of arms as well as the "revisited " one (see the issue introduction and the "Going deep" section).
As for the 5 centesimi, for the 10 centesimi too it's possible to recognize the pieces printed with the first matrix by means of a small sign on the external right side of the coat of arms, 2mm from the top. This sign may become only a thickening of the line in some printing runs (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1: the characteristic mark of the first matrix

For the 10 centesimi we can identify three different sub-types: here are the details.

1st sub-type: "0" of "10" complete at top and second "E" of "CENTES" broken at bottom; very small color dot at right, not always visible (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2: first sub-type

2nd sub-type: "0" of "10" defective and open at top right and second "E' of "CENTES" broken at bottom (Fig. 3 - low quality).

Fig. 3: second sub-type

3rd sub-type: '0' defective as in the previous type but second "E" of "CENTES" complete at bottom (the stamp in machine made paper is always of this type) - Fig. 4 -

Fig. 4: third sub-type

Some text talk about the existence of a fourth sub-type that presents the zero broken to the LEFT instead of to the right and the "E" of "CENTES" broken at bottom. I show here this sub-type for completeness (Fig. 5 - low quality).

Fig. 5: fourth sub-type

I want to mention as last the existence of a sub-type very uncommon, that presents both the letters "E" of "CENTES" broken at bottom (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6: both "E" open at bottom

Catalogued color shades (as for Sassone) - hand-made paper

Black (typical color)
Silver gray (1st issue)
Black gray (1st issue)
Black gray
Deep black
Coal black

Catalogued color shades (as per Sassone) - machine-made paper

Black (typical color)
Gray black
Gray