Italy Tuscany - Shield Issue 1860

 Although not as plentiful as the lion forgeries, they still attracted the likes of Fournier, Spiro, Torres, Winter, Sperati and several others. 

Most if these genuine, given the very high CV, were obtained from certified auctions. In particular, the 3L is one of the most expensive stamp of all the Italian states.

Genuine Stamps

Genuine Features

Dimensions: 23 mm x 18.5 mm. Typographed

1. Cross lines up with left side of vertical of "T"

2. Corner elements in form of X surrounded by a circle

3. Rows of small pearls

4. 3 large irregular precious stones

5. Right object less inclined than left one

6. Right void larger than left one

7. Line out of alignment with corner frame

8. Thick irregular line

9. Top of "N" wider than bottom part

10. 5 empty spaces

11. 5 empty spaces

12. Notches on the ends

13. "B" lines up with top of shield

14. Frame line curves

15. Right side separated

16. Vertical lines are longer on the right side vs. left

17. Large irregular dot

18. Frame line extends to the outer unlike the top ones

19. Shapes look like 8's

Forgeries

Sold by Fornier from an unknown source

The key feature is the wide rough looking lower border

Modern forgery from Peter Winter

Note the constant dot in the frame line above the P plus the wide margins and white paper.

Another type sold by Fournier

Note the slanted "S" in "POSTAGE" and uneven letters

Spiro Forgeries

The cross of the crown points to the right of the"T" instead of the left

Also note the common Spiro cancels.

Torres Forgeries

Note the distorted appearance uf the crown and typical Torres cancels

Odd unknown forgeries

Bogus 3L in wrong color

Modern, possibly Winter

Fournier Sheets

Cancelled singles sold by Fournier from several different forgers.

Fournier US Locals

 It is not well known that Francois Fournier sold forgeries of US locals. The following are from his Geneva collection. Most were supplied by S.A. Taylor.