Fake Stamps Part II Of III

Continuing from the post on Wednesday….

When you are looking for fakes, you should carefully check the gumming on the stamp. Re-gumming a stamp basically means that the stamp no longer contains 100 percent of the gum that it originated with. Re-gumming a stamp is a common source of fraud. When looking at the back of your stamp, look to see if the color of the gum is different. If it is, there is a good chance that it has been re-gummed. Comparing stamps in your collection will help determine if it is a fake. Also look for excessive gum texture, excessive glossy or dull texture, stamp curling and
sharp perforation tips, as these can also be a clue that a stamp has been re-gummed and is not worth the same as it would be if it were not re-gummed.

You should also keep a watchful eye out for any repairs that have been done to the stamp. There might be pieces that have been torn and then replaced, holes or tears that have been repaired, cleaning stains and areas where the stamp may appear to be thinner than other areas on the stamp. Many experts use a professional scanning machine to reveal damaged areas that cannot be seen with the human eye.

Check back on Monday for the conclusion to this post.