Which statement about the CIA stamp's serial number is true?

• A. The serial number is unique to the stamp and is read from the left; up, right, and down in the center.
• B. The serial number indicates the Julian date.
• C. The serial number is in the bottom left corner.
• D. The serial number changes with each inspection.

Answer: (A)

The number on a CIA stamp is a unique, stamp-specific identifier, designed to be traceable across the stamp’s lifecycle. It sits in the center, and there’s a fixed reading order you follow: start from the left, then move upward, then to the right, and finally downward. This strict pattern ensures that each stamp can be individually identified and its inspection history verified, preventing reuse or mix-ups.

The other statements don’t fit because the serial number isn’t a Julian date, it isn’t located in the bottom left corner, and it doesn’t change with each inspection.