Dominican Republic 1866-1873

 Genuine Issues

1. The stamps measure 15.5mm. wide by 25 to 25.5mm. high, measured between the edges opposites.

2. The lines in the quadrants are the following: upper left quadrant, 17 lines; right upper quadrant, 15 lines; left lower quadrant, 13 lines, and lower right quadrant, 16

lines. 

The lines are clear and can be count easily. This is a fundamental check, since no fake has the lines exact.

3. The cross on top of the Bible does not touch it.

4. The Phrygian cap rests on the bottom of the Bible. There is simulated writing only in the right hand page of the Bible; the page of the left is blank.

5. The left side of the scroll where it is written "DIOS" does not touch the border line.

6. The lower part of the “S” of “Dios” is larger than the top

7. The curve of the “P” of “PATRIA” touches the vertical branch so low that it sometimes resembles a "D".

8. The “T” of “PATRIA” leans slightly towards the left.

9. At the bottom left of the scroll is seven short vertical lines

10. The leaves on the left & right are very different & do not touch the shield

NOTE - The "CORREOS" & value where printed separately and are generally out of line with the frame.

Genuine issues, essay and regular Medio & Un real

Forgeries

Although the album weeds only describes 3 forgeries, the actual number is over 20 with most not identified as to the forger.

Color is not a reliable identifier of a genuine stamp as they faded and one might resemble a more valuable variant.

Specific cases

• The Medio stamp on white paper. None of these stamps was issued on white paper.

• A UN real stamp in blue. The only blue stamp is a Un real .

• A yellow UN real stamp. The only yellow stamp is the Medio real .

This is the 3rd forgery described in Album Weeds

- Line above the value

- Leaves touch the shield

- Ribbon touches frame on the left

- Tall thin letters in top ribbon

- Cross touches the shield

- Primitive forgery easily identified by the bulge on the right side of the shield

Torres forgery

- CORREOS very large

- Leaves are very different

- Overall too neat

Spiro/Fournier forgeries

It appears Fournier obtained his forgeries from Spiro or perhaps even Mercier

Spiro forgeries

Fournier forgeries

Blocks from 5X5 sheets sold by Fournier