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Suspect Scott #13

I got this stamp in a large box lot at auction some time ago and at first glance this would appear to be an unused Scott #13, #14, #15 or #16 - CV$5,000 to $35,000 - it became obvious very quickly that this was nothing more than a Scott #35 - CV$275 - that had it's perforations cut off - see the marked up image below. 

What if the bottom perforations had been completely cut off? Is there any way to definitely tell if the stamp is a true Scott #13, #14, #15 or #16? Fortunately for all of us there are definite signs to look at that separate Scott #13 from a Scott #35. The Scott Specialized catalog has detailed descriptions along with diagrams of the five types that make up this stamp. The first four types all have complete side ornaments which show three pearls at each outer edge of the bottom panel whereas the Type V has had the side ornaments cut away slightly. The image below shows that the right side ornaments have been cut away leaving only a partial pearl. This one difference between a Type V and all other types definitely makes this stamp a #35 with all of it's perforations cut away.

Reference material used: How to Detect Damaged, Altered and Repaired Stamps. By Paul Schmid