How Skilled Are You With Identifying Counterfeit Stamps?

Usually the counterfeits misdoing was that they couldn't get the proper watermarked paper. There were plenty of excellent engravers, but the ink composition and the watermarks foiled them with those that could check perfs and watermarks. Most beginners can do perfs fairly easily, once they learn to distinguish refering operations, but many have pains with distinguishing watermarks, Watermark 191 could have such a small portion of a U.S.P.S that many couldn't find them. Especially with the higher values that more often than not, got a "smudge" cancellation.

For early date counterfeits , I have the Serrane Guide, published translaton by the APS ( 1998) of Stamp Forgeries of the World to 1926, which is very informative on rare stamps, although many newspaper stamps and other BOB were quite often done.

Jim

 

I am actually not aware of those fake stamps being sold online as I do not think that a collector would want those kind of stamps.
I agree that for high value stamps, better if there are certifications included to ensure its authenticity.

 

here is a good basic guide from ebay on the topic:

http://reviews.ebay.ca/How-to-Spot-a-Fake-Stamp?ugid=10000000008039710

 

I have some early private mail stamps (US) that are reprints, they are very good ones as well and thankfuly the seller was selling them as such and I have marked each one copy in pencil on the back.
I bought them simply because I wanted some examples

 

You made a very good point, Steve. There's nothing wrong with having or selling duplicates as long as you are clear that's what tehy are. It's about honesty, right? I tend to think most people are honest in their dealings, but I'm not naive enough to say that there are *no* dishonest dealers 'out there.

 

Are the watermarks being copyed also? I would have never thought untill I read this post that there would be counterfeits. Good post. I will have to look at some of my earlier stamps.
Thanks Biged

 

Another problem is fake postmarks, been quite a few of those over the years one of the most recent was Rainer Blüm In germany he got some 4 years probation for doing it.



http://www.ffejournal.com/articles.php?book=FFE+%233

http://www.scrapnframes.com/SITE_EN/SCRAPBOOKING/HTML_PAGES/Fake-Postal-Marks-and-cancelled-artistamps.html

 

I wouldn't know a counterfeit stamp if i saw one because I'm a beginner at
stamp collecting. So I wouldn't know what to look for.

 

Unfortunately I am pretty terrible at spotting counterfeits. I have been "scammed" on a few occasions. You would think I would have learned my lesson after the first few times but I keep falling for some of the scams!

 

Just like others, I also think that buying low denomination stamps is safer from buying higher ones. I also think that used stamps are harder to fake than mints.

 

I think if there's transparency and the seller is clearly stating that they are reprints, then it's fine. It happens in art (paintings) quite a bit - not everyone can have an original Van Gogh now can they?

As far as identifying them is concerned, I think that's a tough one for me. I usually get stamps off actually used letters etc so that is a sort of proof that they are authentic, right?

 

I couldn't tell if a stamp is a counterfeit or not. I haven't been collecting stamps
long enough to know the difference.

 

I don't know, I personally would not purchase anything high of value, collecting stamps is great. But being desperate for fakes is another thing, people should be more wise as to how they limit there earning on stamps. Look into it more, before making a purchase.

 

I would have though that if you buy from a dealer then they should have checked for counterfeit clues and it should be legit and genuine. I guess you have to approach ebay with caution as people might put anything up on there.

 

Also there could be knowledgeable dealers who are knowledgeable how to make a fake stamp looks real.
Better to deal with trusted knowledgeable dealers especially online.