Azerbaijan Stamps: Detecting Forgeries [25r, 50r Added]

Here is a visual guide on detecting the forged stamps of Azerbaijan, the classic issues.

The information is from the following sources:

• FORGERY & REPRINT GUIDE No. 11, AZERBAIJAN. Compiled & published by J. Barefoot, 1983
• Comparative Forgery Identification Site: http://www.geocities.com/claghorn1p...an/index.htm
• Stamps from my collection

1919 10k and 20k Soldier with Flag and Rifle
Scott, Michel and Gibbons #1 and 2.


Genuine (left) and Forgery (right)


Genuine (left) and Forgery (right)


The sun has sharper rays on the genuine stamp


The letters are much sharper on the genuine stamp. Also, width of the "E's" are longer.

The top line of the flag is usually broken on the genuine stamps. However, the intensity of the black color on the genuine stamps varies considerably, often appearing very light.

Other values to follow...

Edit: corrected spelling, stamps units (kopeck)

Nice work indeed Mr. BeeSee

They look obvious when side by side,
not so when you first encounter them as a single,
this shall be a good resource.

Brian, just a suggestion,
in future, perhaps consider placing the genuine and forgery
alongside each other, but in individual scans?

Here's the thing, identifying one's own issue
I like to "toggle" between the two, especially stamps with
Arabic script, one can easily pick up differences.

With a combined scan I have to crop, and makes the
toggle hard to match within differing resolutions.

Just a suggestion for consideration

Good stuff.

Will you be discussing the originals vs the Russian prints also? ( different paper)

1919 40k, 60k, 1r Farmer at Sunset
Scott, Michel and Gibbons #3, 4 and 5.


Genuine (left) and Forgery (right)


Genuine (left) and Forgery (right)


Genuine (left) and Forgery (right)


The sun has sharper rays on the genuine stamp


The is a line near the nose on the genuine stamps. There is no line or just a dot on the forgeries.

Jkjblue, sure we can include the Russian reprints. As far as I can see, from the ones I have, they are exactly the same as the originals, except for the newsprint (yellow-gray) paper. It is my understanding that they are called "Russian" or "Soviet" printings only in that they were reprinted (for postal purposes) under the Soviet administration, but still printed with original plates in Baku, Azerbaijan. More information is needed, I could be wrong as I can't find where I read that.

Of the forgeries I have, some are printed on white paper, some on the yellow-gray. The white is different then the original white paper.

1919 2r, 5r, 10r Walls of Baku
Scott, Michel and Gibbons #6, 7 and 8.


Genuine (left) and Forgery (right)


Genuine (left) and Forgery (right)


Genuine (left) and Forgery (right)


The sun has sharper rays on the genuine stamp, and is centered between the two tips of the crescent, while the forgery is towards the left, often touching the crescent.

On the 5r and 10r, all known forgeries have the heart points upwards, just like the original printing on white paper.

Rod, I had already done these scans for the complete set. Once I get the last two values, I will post a link of the complete set, genuine and forgeries, individual stamps scanned at 600dpi.

That's good,
otherwise I wasn't going to talk to you anymore.
Nice work thus far, as we come to expect from you.

1919 2r, 5r, 10r Temple of Eternal Fires, Baku
Scott, Michel and Gibbons #9, and 10.


Genuine (left) and Forgery (right)


Genuine (left) and Forgery (right)





The sun has sharper rays on the genuine stamps, and the left line on the left oil well is continuous on the genuine, broken on the forgery.

The period after RBL does not touch the right frame on genuines, on forgeries it does.

This covers the first issues of Azerbaijan, No. 1-10. It should be noted that some of forgeries are known on both white and off-white (brownish) paper

Here is a forgery of the 5r, used. It is uncommon to see them as such. Note the suns rays. I assume the cancel is also a forgery.
Barefoot says used are known, "with Baku or Elizavetpol" cancels.

Bee See

Glad to see you bringing the Azerbaijan classic issue forgery guide back to life.

I have a couple of the forgeries, but not all of them. I was going to do a forgery addition for my Azerbaijan blog post. But your examples are so clear here, that I think I will link to this thread instead.

Thought I'd through what I have in my collection out there for review

The first I'd say is genuine



And the second



Three and Four look like forgeries

Glad I found this. I just got done sorting a large pile of these, but didn't check for counterfeits. Now I can, thanks!

Moyock13, I believe your assessment is correct

Link posted http://www.geocities.com/claghorn1p...an/index.htm
says invalid.
Please repost correct link.