Stamp Watermarks Master List
From Collectors Collecting Wiki
Image Orientation
Unless otherwise stated, all images shown in this master list are of the watermark when viewed from the back side of the stamp (when flipped horizontally). Please report any errors to the the Stamp Catalog Coordinator DJCMH if an image is illustrated incorrectly to show what it appears when viewed from the backside of the stamp.
Watermark Name Format
Due to limitations imposed by the length of the watermark field (a maximum of 70 characters) the following format has been decided for watermarks within Colnect :
- <watermark name> (<type>) {<orientation>}
- <watermark name> (<type>) {<orientation>}
where
- watermark name is the name of the watermark taken from this wiki page (a maximum of 54 characters)
- type is one of the following :
- P - denotes a papermaker's watermark
- Sh - denotes a sheet watermark
- P - denotes a papermaker's watermark
- orientation is one (or a combination) of the following :
- Up - upright (NOTE - this is the orientation as shown on this wiki page)
- Inv - inverted ie. watermark is rotated so that the top of the watermark points downwards (180 degrees).
- S - sideways
- SL - sideways to left, ie. watermark is rotated so that the top of the watermark points to the left (90 degrees).
- SR - sideways to right, ie. watermark is rotated so that the top of the watermark points to the right (270 degrees, or 90 degrees to the right).
- Rev - reversed, ie. watermark is flipped horizontally
- Various - this is to be used where catalogs do not individually list all the possible watermark orientations. If this is used information about the possible orientations must be placed in the description.
- Up - upright (NOTE - this is the orientation as shown on this wiki page)
Papermaker's Watermarks
In a lot of early stamp printings the paper used was not specifically designed for stamps. The paper used was produced by various paper makers and watermarked once per sheet with a watermark indicating the paper manufacturer. The watermark was usually printed once in the centre of the sheet. The majority of stamps from these printings will have no watermark and stamps from these printings that have part of the watermark will fetch a premium price.
Sheet Watermarks
A sheet watermark is when a large watermark has been applied to an entire sheet of stamps, so parts of the design overlap onto some of the stamps on the sheet. Therefore only a small portion of the design is visible on individual stamps. It is also possible that stamps from a sheet containing a sheet watermark may have no watermark at all.
Simple Watermarks
A simple watermark is where the complete watermark design is visible on each stamp.
-
A
-
A Doubled-lined under Crown
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A under Crown in Circle
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A under Crown Type 1
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A under Crown Type 2
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A under Crown Type 3
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A under Narrow Flat-topped Crown
-
A under Wide Flat-topped Crown
-
Acorn
-
AGT
-
Anchor Cabled Double-lined
-
Anchor Cabled Type 1
-
Anchor Cabled Type 2
-
Anchor Double-lined
-
Anchor Large
-
Anchor Large 16mm High
-
Anchor Large 18mm High
-
Anchor Large 20mm High
-
Anchor Small
-
Arabic Text "Waraaqa Maaliah"
-
AT + Year of Printing
-
Caduceus Type 1
-
Caduceus Type 2
-
CA Narrow Letters over Crown
-
CA Wide Letters over Crown
-
CA under Crown
-
Castle
-
CC under Crown Type 1
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CC under Crown Type 2
-
CC under Crown Type 3
-
Chakra
-
Chinese characters "Ministry of Industry"
-
Coat of Arms Iceland
-
Coat of Arms Newfoundland
-
Coat of Arms San Marino
-
Coat of Arms Sudan
-
Coat of Arms Syria
-
Communications Department Emblem
-
Conch Shell Type 1
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Conch Shell Type 2
-
Conch Shell Type 3
-
Control Mark 1
-
Control Mark 2
-
Crossed Keys
-
Crown between WA
-
Crown Type 1
-
Crown Type 2
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Crown Type 3
-
Crown Type 4
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Crown Type 5
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Crown Type 6
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Crown Type 7
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Crown Type 8
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Crown Type 9
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Crown Type 10
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Crown Type 11
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Crown Type 12
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Crown Type 13
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Crown over 1955
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Crown over ET
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Crown over GVIR
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Crown over INDIA Type 1
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Crown over INDIA Type 2
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Crown over INDIA Type 3
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Crown over INDIA Type 4
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Crown over SA Type 1
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Crown over SA Type 2
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Crown over SA Type 3
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Crown over Script GvR Double-lined
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Crown over Script GvR Single-lined
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Double Headed Eagle
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Elephant's Head
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Frame
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Frame around 'ONE PENNY'
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Frame around 'TWO PENCE'
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Frame around 'THREE PENCE'
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Frame around 'FOUR PENCE'
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Frame around 'SIX PENCE'
-
Garter Large
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Garter Medium
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Garter Small
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Garter Wide
-
German Order Cross
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Heraldic Emblems Type 1
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Heraldic Emblems Type 2
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Heraldic Emblems Type 3
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Imperial Eagle
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IR Script
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Large 'S'
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Laurel Wreath
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Lion
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Lion with Axe
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Locomotive
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Lusitanian Cross
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Maltese Cross
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Monogram with Frame
-
Monogram without Frame
-
National Taxes
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NHI
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NSW Type 1
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NSW Type 2
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NSW under "5/"
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NSW under "20/-"
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NSW under Large Crown Type 1
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NSW under Large Crown Type 2
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NSW under Small Crown
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Numeral 1 Double-lined Type 1
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Numeral 1 Double-lined Type 2
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Numeral 1 Single-lined
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Numeral 1 Solid
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Numeral 2 Double-lined
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Numeral 2 Single-lined
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Numeral 2 Solid
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Numeral 3 Double-lined
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Numeral 3 Solid
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Numeral 4 Double-lined
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Numeral 4 Single-lined
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Numeral 5 Double-lined Type 1
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Numeral 5 Double-lined Type 2
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Numeral 5 Double-lined Type 3
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Numeral 6 Double-lined
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Numeral 6 Single-lined
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Numeral 8 Double-lined
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Numeral 8 Single-lined
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Numeral 10 Double-lined Type 1
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Numeral 10 Double-lined Type 2
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Numeral 10 Double-lined Type 3
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Numeral 10 Single-lined
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Numeral 12 Double-lined
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Numeral 20 Double-lined
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Numeral 50 Single-lined
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Numeral 50 Single-lined Diagonal
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Numeral Double-lined '5/-'
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NZ Interlaced
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NZ Small (11 x 5½mm)
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NZ Large (16 x 6mm)
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NZ over Star 4mm apart
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NZ over Star 6mm apart
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NZ over star 7mm apart
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NZ over Star Double-lined
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Oak Wreath in Frame
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Olive Branch
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Orb
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Pigeon with Letter
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Pineapple
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Posthorn in Frame
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Posthorn Type 1
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Posthorn Type 2
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Posthorn Type 3
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PR Interlaced
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PR Type 1
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PR Type 2
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Pyramid and Star
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Q under Crown Type 1
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Q under Crown Type 2
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Q under Crown Type 3
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Q under Crown Type 4
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R de C Block
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R de C Script
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R&I Script
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RA
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RH with Serifs
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RM
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RM and Eagle
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Rose and Triangles Type 1
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Rose and Triangles Type 2
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Rose and Triangles Type 3
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Rose and Triangles Type 4
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Rose Branch
-
Rose Type 1
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Rose Type 2
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Rosette
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ROU in Sun
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Scales
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Security Seal
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SER
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Shamrock
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Shield Type 1
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Shield Type 2
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Small Cross
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Spray of Rose
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Springbok's Head
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St. Stephen's Crown Type 1
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St. Stephen's Crown Type 2
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St. Stephen's Crown Type 3
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Star and Crescent and PTT
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Star and Crescent Type 1
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Star and Crescent Type 2
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Star Broad-pointed
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Star Large
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Star of Cuba
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Star of India
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Star Six-pointed
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Star Small
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Star Truncated
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Star, lions and INDIA COURT FEE
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Sun Type 1
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Sun Type 2
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Sun Type 3
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Sun Type 4
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Swan
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Swiss Cross
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TAS Joined Letters
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TAS Separate Letters
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Thistle Branch
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Three Plumes
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Tree Stump
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Umbrella Type 1
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Umbrella Type 2
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Urdu Inscription
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V over Crown Type 1
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V over Crown Type 2
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V over Crown Type 3
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V over Crown Type 4
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V over Crown Type 5
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VR Block
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VR Script
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W
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Winged Wheel Type 1
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Winged Wheel Type 2
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Winged Wheel Type 3
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Yin-Yang Symbol
Multiple Watermarks
A multiple watermark is where the same watermark design (or parts of) appears multiple times on the same stamp.
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A under Crown Multiple
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A under Small Crown Multiple
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Airplanes Multiple
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AP Type 1 Multiple
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AP Type 2 Multiple
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Arabic Characters and 'YG' Multiple
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Arabic Script Diagonal 1
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Arabic Script Diagonal 2
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Arc Lines
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Arc Multiple
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Asokan Capital Multiple
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Basotho Hat Multiple
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BP Multiple
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CARTOR Multiple
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Chevrons
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Chinese Character 'YU' Large Multiple
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Chinese Character 'YU' Small Multiple
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Chinese Character 'YU' Wide-spaced Multiple
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Chinese Characters Multiple
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Circles Type 1 Multiple
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Circles Type 2 Multiple
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Clenched hand holding thunderbolt
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CM in Star
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Coat of Arms Ecuador Ministry of Finance
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Coat of Arms Ecuador Military Geographic Institute
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Coat of Arms Argentine and RA Multiple Type 1
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Coat of Arms Argentine and RA Type 2
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Coat of Arms Hungary Multiple
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Coat of Arms Libya Multiple
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Coat of Arms South Africa Multiple
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Coat of Arms Syria Large Multiple
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Coat of Arms Syria Small Multiple
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Cockerel Multiple
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Cross in Octagon Multiple
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Cross Multiple
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Crossed Lines Type 1
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Crossed Lines Type 2
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Crossed Swords and Palm Tree Multiple
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Crossed Swords and Palm Tree with Arabic Inscription Multiple
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Crown and Arabic 'F' Multiple
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Crown and Initials Multiple
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Crown and Monogram of King Carol II Multiple
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Crown and Monogram of King Michael I Multiple
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Crown and PTT Multiple
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Crown Multiple Type 1
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Crown Multiple Type 2
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Crown Multiple Type 3
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Crown over C OF A Multiple
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Crown over Block CA Diagonal Multiple
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Crown over Block CA Multiple
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Crown over Block GvR Type 1 Multiple
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Crown over Block GvR Type 2 Multiple
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Crown over E8R Multiple
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Crown over GVIR Multiple
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Crown over Block A Multiple
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Crown over Script A Multiple
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Crown over Script C Multiple
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Crown over Script CA Diagonal Multiple
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Crown over Script CA Multiple
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Crown (Misprinted) over Script CA Multiple
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Crown (Missing) over Script CA Multiple
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Crown over Script GvR in Vertical Columns Multiple
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Crown over Script GvR Multiple
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Crown over SL multiple
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Crown over SO Multiple
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Crown over Slanting SO Multiple
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Crown St. Edward's over E2R Multiple
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Crown Tudor over E2R Multiple
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Curved Triangles Multiple
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DBP and Cruciferous Multiple
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DP Multiple
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DDR and Posthorn Multiple Type 1 (5 mm high letters)
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DDR and Posthorn Multiple Type 2 (6 mm high letters)
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DDR and Quatrefoil Multiple
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DEUTSCHE POST Diagonal Multiple
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Diamonds Type 1 Multiple
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Diamonds Type 2 Multiple
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e Multiple
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Eagle and Arabic Script Type 1 Multiple
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Eagle and Arabic Script Type 2 Multiple
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Eagle in Circle and GOBIERNO MEXICANO Multiple
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Eagle in Circle and MEX Multiple
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Eagle in Circle and MEX-MEX Multiple
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Eagle in Circle and S.H.C.P. MEXICO Multiple
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Eagle Multiple
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Elephant Heads Multiple
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Entwined Curved Lines
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EUBRASIL Multiple
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Finial
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Flower Multiple Type 1
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Flower Multiple Type 2
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Flower Multiple Type 3
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FN Multiple
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Fr Multiple
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Gediminas Pillar
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Geometric Design Type 1
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Geometric Design Type 2
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Geometric Design Type 3
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Geometric Design Type 4
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GNSW Multiple
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Grecian Border
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Greek Border and Rosettes
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Greek Crown Multiple
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Greek Letters Multiple
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Grid Pattern
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Hammer and Sickle
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HEF Multiple
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Hexagons with Lines Inside
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Honeycomb Type 1
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Honeycomb Type 2
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Honeycomb Type 3
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Honeycomb Type 4
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Honeycomb Type 5
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Honeycomb Type 6
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Honeycomb Type 7
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Interlaced Circles
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Interlinked Lines
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Interlocking Circles
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Intersecting Diamonds
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ISRAEL in Hebrew Multiple
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ITVF Multiple
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JEZ Multiple
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Kava Bowl Multiple
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Large Diamond containing 4 Small Diamonds Multiple
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Liberty Cap Multiple
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Linden Leaves Multiple
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Link Fence
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Loops Type 1
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Loops Type 2
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Lotus Blossom Multiple
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Lotus Flower and Sinhalese Letters 'Sri' Multiple
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Lozenges Diamond-shaped
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Lozenges Narrow
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Lozenges Wide
-
Maltese Cross Multiple Type 1
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Maltese Cross Multiple Type 2
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Map of Cyprus and KC/ΚΔ Multiple
-
Map of Cyprus and KKTC Multiple
-
MNI Multiple
-
Network
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Network Connecting Circles
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NHI Multiple
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NIGERIA Multiple
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NZ over Star in Vertical Columns Multiple
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NZ over Star Multiple
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Orb and IR Multiple
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OTA Multiple
-
Ovals Multiple
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Parallel Short Lines
-
Parquetry
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Patriarchs Cross in Shield Multiple
-
Patriarch's Cross Stacked Multiple
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Patriarch's Cross Star Formation Multiple
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Patriarch's Cross Solitary Multiple
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Persian Inscription
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Pineapple and J Multiple
-
POS in Octogon Multiple
-
POST OFFICE Multiple
-
POSTAGE and Curved Triangle Multiple
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Posthorn Type 1 Multiple
-
Posthorn Type 2 Multiple
-
PTM Multiple
-
Quatrefoil and Circle Multiple Type 1
-
Quatrefoil and Circle Multiple Type 2
-
Quatrefoil and Circle Multiple Type 3
-
Quatrefoil Multiple Type 1
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Quatrefoil Multiple Type 2
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RA in Horizontal Oval Sun Multiple
-
RA in Round Sun Type 1 Multiple
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RA in Round Sun Type 2 Multiple
-
RA in Round Sun Type 3 Multiple
-
RA in Round Sun Type 4 Multiple
-
RA in Vertical Oval Sun Multiple
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Rectangles Type 1
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Rectangles Type 2
-
Rectangles Type 3
-
Rectangles Type 4
-
Rectangles Type 5
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Rectangles Type 6
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REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR in Wavy Lines
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RO in Diamond Multiple
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Roman and Arabic Initials Multiple
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Rosette Multiple
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RP and Star Type 1 Multiple
-
RP and Star Type 2 Multiple
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RP Multiple Large Letters
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RP Multiple Small Letters
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RPR Endless Rows
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RPR Script Multiple
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RSA in Triangle Multiple
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RSA in Triangle Tete-beche Multiple
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RSR Multiple
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Scrolls Multiple
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SE Monogram Multiple
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SECRETARIA DE HACIENDA MEXICO Type 1
-
SECRETARIA DE HACIENDA MEXICO Type 2
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Serpentine Lines
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SG Multiple
-
Shadow Squares
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Shield and Cyrillic Letters Multiple
-
Small Mesh
-
Small Star in Shield Multiple
-
SPM Multiple
-
Springbok's Head Multiple
-
St. Edward's Crown and SL Multiple
-
St. Edward's Crown Block CA Multiple
-
Stag in Oval Multiple
-
Star and Crescent in Group of 3 Multiple
-
Star and Crescent Type 1 Multiple
-
Star and Crescent Type 2 Multiple
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Star and Crescent Type 3 Multiple
-
Star and Crescent Type 4 Multiple
-
Star and G Multiple
-
Star and Triangle Multiple
-
Star of Ethiopia Multiple
-
Star of Hungary Multiple Type 1
-
Star of Hungary Multiple Type 2
-
Star of India Multiple
-
Star of Italy Type 1 Multiple
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Star of Italy Type 2 Multiple
-
Star of Italy Type 3 Multiple
-
Star of Italy Type 4 Multiple
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Stars and Wings Multiple
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Steps Diagonal
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Striped Oval Multiple
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Sun Fiscal Multiple
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Swastika Type 1 Multiple
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Swastika Type 2 Multiple
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Swastika Type 3 Multiple
-
Swiss Cross Multiple
-
TAS Multiple
-
TC and Crescent
-
Thai Characters between Wavy Lines Multiple
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Tiles
-
Triangles
-
Triskelion Multiple
-
Turtle Multiple
-
UI Multiple
-
Waffles
-
Wavy Lines and C
-
Wavy Lines and Rhombi
-
Wavy Lines Curved Type 1
-
Wavy Lines Curved Type 2
-
Wavy Lines Curved Type 3
-
Wavy Lines Diagonal
-
Wavy Lines Double
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Wavy Lines Interlinked
-
Wavy Lines Interwoven
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Wavy Lines Type 1
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Wavy Lines Type 2
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Wavy Lines Type 3
-
Wavy Lines Type 4
-
Wavy Lines Type 5
-
Wavy Lines Type 6
-
Wavy Lines Type 7
-
Wavy Lines Type 8
-
Wavy Lines Type 9
-
Wavy Lines Type 10
-
Wavy Lines Type 11
-
Wavy Lines Type 12
-
Wavy Lines Type 13
-
Wavy Lines Wide
-
Zigzag Lines Forming Diamonds
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Zigzag Lines Forming Rectangles
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Zigzag Lines Type 1
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Zigzag Lines Type 2
































































































































































































































