Here is an interesting issue that I’m sure all stamp collectors are faced with from time to time. You come across a stamp that had been marked on the back with the Scott’s #, do you accept that or do you confirm it before adding it to your collection?
A case in point, I came across the vertical strip PAIR of the 2c Washington design. On the back it’s penciled as a #487 a type II design. Is it? Could it be a #488, type III? Lets look at the the characteristics and see what we find.
Characteristics of the toga button…
Characteristics of the ribbons…
Characteristics near the ear…
So. After looking at this a little more closely, what stamp would this be?