There are many ways to tell the 1847 stamp from the 1875 reproduction, but the simplest way is to look at the point where the top of the frill of the white shirt meets the oval frame around the vignette. On the original stamp it meets the oval between the "F" and "I" of  "FIVE", and on the reproduction at the top of the "F".

The engravers initials "RWHE" are much clearer on the original than on the reproduction. On the other hand, the original stamps often appear washed out. This is clearly evident in the leaves in the detail in the frame surrounding the vignette. In this instance a proof of the 1847 5¢ stamp was used for illustration, the issued stamps rarely have this level of detail.

The reproduction is slightly shorter and wider than the original and the reproductions often have a rich red brown color. The 1847 5¢ stamp is collected in a variety of colors, ranging from red brown to brown and even a bright red orange and a dark, blackish brown. Many of the color varieties bring premiums.

Finally, the reproduction was never valid for postage and one would expect to see most examples without cancellation, since it was not a valid postage stamp. In the truest sense, the 1875 reproduction was never a postage stamp, never valid for postage and of course not even an 1847 stamp.