The most common Penny Red Stamps are dated between 1858 and 1870. Although most are red in colour, some prints were still of a brown/red colour as this example shows. Note that the stamp has perforated sides, and the letters in all four corners. Careful viewing of the sides may reveal the plate number

This Two Pence Blue clearly shows a cancellation mark of "79". This does NOT reflect the date, but can indicate the town of postal origin. Careful viewing of the side shows that it has a plate number of "8". Notice the white line across the "Two Pence". This helps to distinguish it from the "One Penny" stamp of the same period for those that were colour blind or hard of seeing. Two Pence Blues dated between 1858 and 1870 also have letters in all four corners.