This stamp also comes in the famous
"blue paper" variety, it is quite
rare and unlikely to show up in an unchecked mixture of Washington
Franklins. The "blue" is actually a "gray color", not
really "blue", although it may take on a slightly bluish tint. The
stamp was made with a higher percentage of rag content (about 30%) resulting
in a grayish tinge to the stamp. As a first check, be certain the stamp is
double-line watermarked, all "blue papers" are double-line
watermarked. Fortunately, double-line watermarks are hard to miss, if you
don't see one the stamp is suspect. If you think your stamp is the
"blue paper" variety, you MUST have this stamp certified. Even
faulty, poorly centered examples of this stamp command a premium far in
excess of the certification fee. If the stamp is genuine, it will retrieve a
far higher price when certified. Conversely, do not purchase a non-certified
copy of this stamp. If the seller is unwilling to pre-certify the stamp,
there is a high likelihood that the genuineness of the stamp is in
question.
