159 Or 208 Lincoln 6 Cents - Opinions On Back, Please.

This is labeled in the album as a 159, but I can't tell due to wear and the postmark? at the end of the ribbon. It looks like it is probably a 208. However, what is with the 'printing' on the back - the black and the reverse of the end of the word 'postage' from the front.

As always, opinions appreciated.

Might be from an album page which the stamp was mounted on. Nice margins on this one.

stampcrow - Thank you, I hadn't thought of that one. I just checked and it isn't from the current album or page - it's in a Mystic split holder and there's no indication of moisture or anything to transfer from. The gentleman put the extras on the back of the previous album page, opposite what he was working on for the 'set'. However, I can't vouch for where it was before it came to this album.

walkabout.....stamp in question is #159.
stampcrow would be correct to a album page transfer on reverse.

Definitely not 208. This "re-engraved" version of the 6-cent has three vertical lines at the left of the design, as opposed to the four we see on #'s 137, 148, 159 and 186 (and on this example). The re-engraved #208 also has a noticeably lusher, more pastel-type coloring than the previous numbers.

It looks like your stamp is printed on hard paper, in the pale color typical of Continental. The secret mark is present, but the remaining shading lines are so faint the strengthened lines (secret mark) give the appearance of being all there is. Use a strong lens to see them at least in outline. This is a 159. Neither the paper nor the printing are consistent with 208.

As the others have said, the black stuff on the reverse is an offset or adhesion from an album page. Check it and you will see it is surface printed and not intaglio. Chances are that if you soak the stamp that black stuff will float off (though that does not always happen).

I agree with stampcrow about the ink on the back of the stamp, likely album page transfer.
After referencing this page: http://www.stampexpertizing.com/pdfs/1870v009.pdf I lean more towards a 159 or 186 depending on paper type. Looks like it has the secret mark, but no re-engraved like the 208.

Im am very much a novice and posting this more as a bookmark to follow when the experts chime in, because I would like to know for sure myself.
Just by the impression, my guess would be 186. The impressions usually seem a bit duller in the soft paper.

Thanks for sharing. I come here to learn, and this is a good opportunity.

Edit: In the time it took me to type this, two more knowledgeable collectors have indicated that the 159 is more likely... I would trust them more than me for sure.

Again, to one and all, thank you for helping the new kid along.

dudley - I sure wish my eyesight were better. For the life of me, I can't make out those marks on the ribbon. Some I can see, some I can't.

essayk - Thank you for the pointers. I have to get better on judging the 'hardness' of the paper, though.

d307menace - You'll have to look long and hard to find a more knowledgeable group than what is here.

stampcrow, kevin504 and essayk - Thank you. You were all correct.

Are the lines in the ribbon on this one what the first one should look like? This is labeled a 159 also. And, is that a repair on the bottom?

This one's a 208, walkabout. Count the vertical lines pointed to by the arrow: there are three as opposed to four. Note also the overall brighter color and clearer impression as compared to your first example.

dudley - Thank you. Oh, I noted the color, but I thought the 3 lines vs 4 lines was someplace else. Oh well, I keep trying - the rest of the time, I'm just very trying. Thank you.