This stamp is most easily separated by color. The type I, US 282c, is brown and the type II, US 283, is yellow or orange brown. The circular lines around the denomination stop before the frame line of the vignette in the type I stamp. The circular lines around the denomination continue through the frame line of the vignette in the type II stamp. Since these lines are very light, a magnifying glass or enlarged scan of the stamp may help in the identification. Although it is difficult to see the extended lines through the portrait oval in the type II stamp below, the color is a distinct orange brown. Close examination reveals the extended lines. The original color of this denomination, first issued in 1894, was green. The green 10¢ Webster's are the unwatermarked US 258 and the double-line watermarked US 273 of 1894 and 1895 respectively. The color was changed from green to brown to avoid confusion with the green one cent stamp which had been changed from blue to green to meet the new color standards of the Universal Postal Union in 1898. Both US 282c and US 283 were printed on double-lined watermarked paper.

Type I
Circles Around Denomination

US 282c - Note the distinctive rich brown color. In the Type I design the circle around the denomination does not continue into the outer frame line of the vignette. The right circle of the Type I is similar.

Type II
Circles Around Denomination

US 283 - Note the distinctive light (orange) brown color. In the Type II design the circle around the denomination continues into the outer frame line of the vignette, below the "E" in "TEN". The right circle of the Type II is similar.