Colombia 1865 Series

Lithographed, on medium, white wove paper

There are ten varieties each of the 5, 10, 20, and 50 c., and six varieties of the 1 peso.

All Genuine stamps with the exception of the small 50 Centavos value show damage of the inner frame above the "S".

This is the first thing to look for when expertising.

Genuine Issues

2 Types of the 50c

4 varieties of the 1 Peso

First Forgery

Attributed to Spiro

The top of the 'A' of 'COLOMBIA' is very broad in these forgeries (it is pointed in the originals).

The background dots are large and show curvature.

The letter are very uneven.

There is no period after the "U"

The bell does not touch the frame.

Note the typical Spiro cancels, 

Second Forgery

Posibly sold by Fournier

The stars are larger

The letters are uneven

"CENT" has no dot

The "A" has a flat top

Background dots are very different

Third Forgery

Possibly from Torres

These forgeries are often sold as "Proofs"

There should be nine stars between the oval and the inscription. 

The shield is totally different from the genuine stamps; it has two horizontal white sections in it.

Bottom ornaments moved towards the value and are not touching the outside frame line

No periods after ·E· and ·U·

Bad and irregular lettering

Romania 1903 Issue

 Issued for the opening of a new PO in Bucharest.

The originals were engraved and perfed 13.5X14

Genuine issues all have a common feature - a dot below the top "R"

There are 2 or 3 different forgeries.

Unfortunately, I have no specifics on how to distinguish them.

Here are comparisons of genuine (left) and forgery (right)

The 15b is the only counterfeit that measured 13.5 X 14, like the genuines.  25b and othersforgery examples are 13.5 X 13. The 40b  the forgery is 13.5 X 13.5.

Aside from being lithographs on white paper, forgeries have obvious color differences.

Forgery

Genuine

Forgery

Genuine

Forgery

Gemuine

I have seen 2 forgery types of the 5L

The one shown above with the large L close to the 5 and one more like the original.

Thia is apparently a proof (comes in various colors) but some authors note they are bogus,

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.