Is There A Way To Tell If A Stamp Was Regummed?

hello

i have heard that there are stamps that are regummed.
is there a way to tell?

the reason that I ask is that I have a 219d that has gum but just does not look right

i tried to make a photo of the reverse but you can not see the gum

thanks dan

well these are a few things I know of compare it with a similar stamp with Og and see if its different

see also if its broken in places

also if some part of the stamp is not gummed and the series has complete gum

these are not fool proof though

Dan.....

You could compare the stamp to other mint stamps from the same series......also, check the holes to see if there is any gum on the inside edges and the edges of the perf teeth.......it's very difficult to re-gum a stamp perfectly. If you find any at all on the edges it is re-gummed. Stamps are gummed before being perfed.

It does appear to have an odd arc under Georges' chin, another behind his head and "States Postage" is oddly darkened. And there is an odd darkening along the top perf teeth, also the top left. I would guess that it is re-gummed........(just my opinion)

As already mentioned, one method is to check it against another of the same series. Do you have a 219? This more common stamp was issued on the same date as part of the series and will have the same gum. Stamps of low value are not worth regumming, so usually original gum versions will be just that.

This stamp is certainly a candidate for regumming, as the not hinged CV is so much higher than hinged.

You should look at the perforations under magnification. Usually when stamps are regummed, some of the gum will flow into the perforation holes or over the tips of the teeth. Any darkening of the teeth is usually a sure sign, front or back. Also look for gum on the small paper fibers that result from when the stamps are separated. If these fibers have gum on them it's been regummed. The teeth will often be stiffer than usual as well.

The gum is not always completely replaced, sometimes the original gum is liquified, then hinge remnants removed and the gum redistributed. The gum is then let dry again. The gum will appear different to original, may have gum skips not parallel or thin spots.

For any stamp of value MNH it's worth getting a certificate of authenticity.

Balf

thanks for the help.

i will look for these items.

i have some other 219d 220 that have no gum...may I ask what value these may have?

thank dan

It appears that the right side has been reperfed as well. The perf spacing and depth are very irregular which is common on reperfed stamps. Note especially the right side near the bottom of the stamps. I suppose regumming can make the perfs look irregular but the second hole from the bottom is extremely shallow compared the the rest of the holes on the right.

Marty

Well picked up Marty, I didn't look closely enough. And not only the right side, the lower left perforation holes looked more widely spaced than the top left. You will need to measure these Dan. If it's been reperfed, it's almost certainly been regummed.

Would you believe Dan that the US Scott Specialised stops listing no gum values at number 218! LOL I've only been collecting US a short time, so I'm no expert. From what I've seen most dealers seem to list MNG values as the same as MLH values, although the earlier Scott listings for 218 down for no gum are well under that, usually just under half the MLH value.

Of course condition and centring mean a lot, you can get a 219D on Stampwants MNG for around $35 with average to poor centring, up to around $120 for better centred. Your 220 with no gum could be anywhere from $5 to $20 depending again on how well centred and condition, with a retail of around $22 for VF.

Balf

i will check my other stamps.
i also have many other no gum stamps.
i think I purchased a lot from a dealer and there were many no gum stamps in the lot.
i did not pay much for the lot but do understand gummed stamp are better.

thanks dan