There are ten different stamps in the coil strip that use seven different colors in different combinations. Each of the colors in the plate number are used on the ten stamps.
Michael is correct, but I might add a bit more. This is callled a "Plate number" and because it's on a coil stamp, a "plate number coil" or "PNC". Like all plate numbers on coil AND sheet stamps, it once was (no longer is, sorry to say) used to indicate which printing plate made that sheet of stamps. Once upon a time, based on the PN, one could identify which plate and which press was used to print a stamp. Each of those different numbers in that PN refers to a different color plate used to print one of the colors on the stamp.
One of our members, Saleem, is an avid PNC collector and can tell you an immense amount about them in general or any one in particular. Tom Harley had also had an immense collection. I don't know if we have any other PNC collectors.
David
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"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"
While the plate numbers today are worthless as to which plate was used to print the stamp, they sometimes are useful to help identify the company that printed the stamp, making identification easier without needing to look at those microscopic micro-printings.
Michael is correct again. And, to take this one step further, I always try to obtain any WFs with PN, because that PN provides proof of just which one it is without having to do perfs, watermarks, etc. A copy of Durland handy provides Scott numbers corresponding to the plate numbers.
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"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"
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