Identification
How to Spot a Fake or Repaired Stamp
Stamps are faked and repaired in several ways: outright forgeries of valuable stamps, repairs such as filled thins or added margins, regumming to imitate mint, faked cancellations, and altered perforations. The warning signs include a stamp that looks too good for its price, margins or perforations that do not match, colours that seem wrong, and faults visible when the stamp is held to the light. The safeguard is to buy from a reputable, accredited dealer and to obtain an expert certificate for anything valuable.
At a glance
The main kinds of fakery
It helps to know what is done, and why. Most fakery targets valuable stamps, where the reward is greatest.
None of it need worry the careful buyer, because the safeguards are straightforward, but it is worth recognising the main forms.
- Forgeries. Whole stamps made to imitate a valuable original, or faked overprints and surcharges added to genuine but common stamps.
- Repairs. Damage disguised, such as a thin filled in, a tear closed, a missing corner rebuilt, or a stamp re-backed with new paper.
- Regumming. Fresh gum applied to the back of an unused stamp to make it appear never hinged, and so more valuable. Our guide to MNH explains why this matters.
- Added margins. Paper added to a stamp cut into the design, especially on imperforate classics where margins decide value.
- Faked cancellations. A postmark added to make a stamp appear used, or a scarce cancellation imitated.
- Altered perforations. Perforations added, trimmed or re-cut to imitate a scarcer variety.
The warning signs
- It looks too good for the price. A scarce stamp offered cheaply is a warning, not a bargain.
- Margins or perforations do not match. Uneven margins, or perforations that differ on one side, can indicate alteration.
- The colour or paper seems wrong. A shade or paper that does not match the genuine issue is a red flag.
- Faults show through. Held to the light, a repaired thin, a closed tear or a re-backing often shows.
- The gum looks fresh or even. On an old stamp, suspiciously perfect gum can mean regumming.
None of these is proof on its own, but together they call for caution and expert examination.
How to protect yourself
The surest protection is simple. Buy from a reputable, accredited dealer who describes every stamp honestly, and for anything genuinely valuable, insist on an expert certificate from a recognised authority. Our accreditations explain the standards we are held to, and our quality and grading standards explain how we describe condition, disclose every fault and repair, and never sell a forgery as genuine.
When in doubt
Do not guess
If you are unsure about a stamp, do not guess, and certainly do not buy or sell on the strength of a hope. Have it examined by someone experienced, and obtain a certificate where value warrants it. We are glad to give an honest opinion; send clear photographs, front and back.
Frequently asked questions
Look for warning signs: a stamp too good for its price, margins or perforations that do not match, colours or paper that seem wrong, and faults that show when held to the light. For valuable stamps, rely on expert examination and certificates.
Repairs are meant to be hidden, but a filled thin, a closed tear or a re-backing often shows when the stamp is held to the light. Added margins and re-cut perforations can look subtly wrong.
Applying fresh gum to the back of an unused stamp to make it appear never hinged, and so more valuable. Suspiciously perfect gum on an old stamp can indicate it.
Buy from a reputable, accredited dealer who discloses every fault, and obtain an expert certificate for anything valuable. When in doubt, have the stamp examined.
Buy with care, buy with confidence
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Founder and stamp dealerLast updated June 2026