This block of four features:
– two canceled (to order) stamps
– two mint stamps
– the more common Erivan “m” cancel that is most of the time found on CTO (canceled to order) stamps
– an overprint flaw: the “5” of the first overprint seems to be missing (actually it is very weak), nevertheless, this makes this item definitely more interesting
The stamps are genuine,(or digital copies of Genuine). The later stage broken ‘5’ is well known and originally listed by Tchilhirian & Ashford. This is an example of a counter surcharge c.t.o. at the counter. It is listed in my early “The Postage Stamps of Russia, 1917-1923”, volime 1 circa 1982 and in due corse to be included in a Forgery Guide of the HH overprints.