Counterfeit Stamps

Since there hasn't much discussion on the forum
regarding the problem of counterfeit stamp production,
I think it's fitting to start one here.

Here is an article about Canadian stamp fraudsters on CBC News.
There is included an excellent video interview of
Richard Gratton, the secretary of the Luxembourg-based Fédération Internationale de Philatélie


http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montr...ys-1.1375040

A serious problem for the post offices
Canada $10million+ loss
US 125million+ loss
Worldwide - Billions

These are meant to defraud the government not the collectors since they have little value. I doubt anyone will publish a book on forgeries of these types of stamps.
Unfortunately this may impact future collectors although I believe the enormous number of yearly issues is a bigger problem for collectors.
The US issued about 2400 between 1940 & 1990, they issued about 4600 between 1991 & 2014. One reason I stopped collecting in 1980.

I personally am interested in the classic forgeries (pre 1940) & these I believe have a special niche in philately like it or not.

Here is another video from CBC.

Fake stamps cost Canada Post millions

Here is a Fox News article called

Counterfeit Stamps Giving Postal Service a Lickin'


http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/12/0...vice-lickin/

I found this kind of humorous (from the above linked Fox article):




I suppose in a strict sense, that's true, since "normal" people wouldn't go around selling forever stamps at 30 or 40 cents each. But most stamp collectors in the US are certainly aware of (and use) discount postage regularly.

I've often wondered how long it will be before modern technology makes it so easy to make forgeries (both of the postal variety and to defraud collectors) that it becomes impossible to tell the difference. I think this could be especially problematic with regards to postmarks. How long before someone can make a scan of an authentic postmark, then turn around and make a cancellation device - identical to the most minute detail - with a 3D printer? How long before one can make a high-res scan of a stamp and 3D print a printing plate for it? The biggest obstacle to forgers in another 10 or 20 years is probably going to be finding the right papers and inks.

"These are meant to defraud the government not the collectors since they have little value. I doubt anyone will publish a book on forgeries of these types of stamps. "

US postal counterfeit are valued in the Scott US Specialized (they first appeared in the catalog 2? years ago).

I believe there is already a book about US counterfeits, possibly 2.

The biggest problem the counterfeiters have for US stamps is the tagging and the microprinting.

I dont understand why these items are not turned over to the authorities..I acquired a counterfeit 2004 toonie and had to turn it over to the R.C.M.P.

Banknotes are engraved to thwart counterfitters. Love to see more engraved stamps. Could that make a difference?

Maybe, but most postal counterfeits aren't all that great upon close inspection, regardless of how the original was made. The counterfeiters are banking on both postal patrons and postal employees giving it no more than a cursory glance, which is exactly what happens in nearly all cases. As alluded to above, the sorting machines look for tagging, and the lack thereof is what usually alerts postal authorities to the counterfeit. It's only after the machine kicks it out for not being tagged that inspectors look at it more closely and can spot the counterfeit.

Historically, most counterfeits of US stamps were identified and reported by philatelists.