Classic Stamp Forgeries: Moldovia Bull's Head

The chances of having any genuine versions of the bull’s heads is extremely slim. They are very rare and generally VERY expensive.

Despite their rarity, there are dozens of forgeries of each issue, most are crude and none really fool when compared to the original
The stamps were printed manually by the Principality’s security printers in Jassy of sheets of 32 stamps.
27, 54 and 108 parale on colored, horizontally laid paper; 81 parale on plain, colored paper without watermark.
27 (parale) black on dull rose
54 (parale) blue-green on pale green/olive green
81 (parale) blue on bluish/bluish-gray
108 (parale) blue to dark blue on pale rose.
The numbers printed were;
6,000 stamps of 27 parale
10,000 stamps of 54 parale
2,000 stamps of 81 parale
6,000 stamps of 108 parale
The Bull’s Head issue was reprinted twice, and can easily be recognized, because they are printed on different papers than the originals.
From the approximately 24,000 stamps issued, only 724 apparently survived, with only 89 on cover

Original Dies

Genuine Issues and Features

1. Top of the O is thin and generally broken

2. The points of the C almost touch

3. The star is slanted to the right

4. The horns are even in height and the right one is heavily shaded on the right side

5. The right ear is larger and more shaded than the left one

6. A break in the lower part of the ear

7. A large space between the last 2 characters

8. The 2 small tips do not touch the posthorn

9. The right base of the 7 has a noticeable upwards curve

10. The dots are square

1. The bottom right of the C has a long tip and the C is almost closed
2. The star is inclined to the left
3. The right horn is not well defined and is generally broken
4. The bottom right foot has a curved serif
6. Note the shape of the 4
7. The top of the 5 is curved
8. The tips touch the posthorn
9. The bottom left leg has a long extension
10. The right bottom side of the P has a long extension

1. The star is fairly even

2. There is a large dot to the right of the star (not sure if this is constant)

3. The right ear is much smaller and not well formed

4. There is an oblique line on the right side

5. The bottom of the ear is broken

6. The 1 has a short serif

7. The left bottom serif is long

The K is generally badly formed

1. The bottom of the C is almost flat

2. The K has a long upwards curling foot

3. The right horn is not as curved as the left and often shows a dent

4. Generally a break in the circle

5. A very long bottom right serif on the 1

6. The ear tip points to the center of the O

7. The horn is heavily shaded

Forgeries

One of the simplest methods to check for forgeries (other than very crude ones) is the angle of the horn.

Below a diagram of the genuine stamps and the horn direction.

This series was simple to forge and there are MANY varieties

I will start with the better samples

27P Forgeries Comparison

Genuine always on the left

The differences are in the head features (especially the eyes) different letters and numerals and the horn pointing at the wrong letters

This forgery is modern - a cut out from minisheet for the Salon der Philatelie in Hamburg in 1984. The freshness of the stamp gives it away.

This is the most dangerous one I found and was bid up to a substantial amount on a high end auction.
The right ear is not broken at the base, the star is a different shape, the horn tips curve too much, several letters touch the frame.

Above is a Fournier modern reproduction (1900's)

54P Forgeries

A decent forgery but the letters are far too thick and different

Here the horns and the ears do not match.

The horn points to the 2nd C.

Another decent forgery but many letters are joined together. The horn points to the wrong letter. The left horn and ears are far too big. This is classed as an Oneglia forgery.

This is from a dealer "RogerNorth" who offers many such forgeries. Very small ears and poorly shaped horn.

A very good forgery except for the odd round objects on each side of the head.

This on is poor and obviously has many faults.

81P Forgeries

The horn points to the wrong letter
The dot besides the star is lacking
The letters are very thick and crude

This is a Fournier forgery. It is very good

1. Curved horn to end of O

2. Middle of star to left foot of K

3. Black dot right of star

4. Right horn to P

5. Right ear with horizontal line, not rounded

6. Short line

7. Thin hook on 1

8. Long hook on P

9. Often a break in left ear

Thick letters with many touching each other.

The dot besides the star is missing.

First 3 letters CKP are angled wrong.

The 81 is large.

The ears are wrong.

This is another "RogerNorth" creation.

This appears to be another "RogerNorth" with a fake cancel

A modern forgery - far too fresh

This one borders on crude. Many issues with the head.

108 Forgeries

This value appear to have gotten the most attention from forgers.

A good forgery. Many letters are broken. The horn points to the N shape

This apparently a Fournier forgery.

1. Star open left top

2. K with long extended foot

3. C almost square at bottom

4. "Arrow" pointed downwards a 1/3 of the nose

5. 1 with long foot on the right side

6. Ear pointed more towards the 0, lower line bolder

This is apparently a Peter Winter forgery (1980's). Very fresh and letter spacing is not accurate.

Another "RogerNorth" forgery. The star is inclined, the horns and ears are wrong and the bull has a fierce look.

A fair forgery. The star is shaped wrong. The 108 is tall and narrow. The horns do not curve enough.

Sperati's only known contribution. Excellent as expected. There is a small break on the circle at 5 o'clock. There is a color dot in the horn to the right and below the 8.

Crude Forgeries
These abound. They require no description. I suspect some were originated by Torres.

Bogus Stamps

These are wrong colors and non-existent values.

1891 Reprints

The Postmaster-General Colonel Gorjan decided to produce new prints to celebrate the King’s jubilee; however, as most of the original dies were damaged, the reprints are easily identified.

They generally show up as pairs or blocks.

The copies were produced by hand press:

the 27 parale on thick, dull pink paper

the 54 parale in green-blue on dark green paper

the 81 parale in blue/greyish blue on laid bluish paper

the 108 parale blue on rose-lilac paper