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| Carol I |
The large circle surrounding the head is the key feature versus the narrow oval of the later
issue
issue
The stamps of this issue can be found in several transfer types shown below
2pa
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| 1864 2pa Type 1 |
5pa
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| 1864 5pa Type 3 |
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| 1864 20pa Type 3 |
1865
The first stamps for postal use inscribed "POSTA ROMANA" were issued in January 1865; the three values depicted Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza in profile, facing right.
These did not last long in use, as Cuza was deposed the following year, and new stamps depicted Prince Carol I, also in profile, but facing left, and in a style very similar to contemporary French stamps
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| 1865 Genuine stamps |
There are 2 types of the 20b
Type I left - The central oval does not touch the inner frame.
The "I" of "DECI" extends above and below the other letters.
Type II right - The central oval touches the frame at the bottom.
The "I" of the "DECI" is the same height as the other letters.
These are taken from the Fournier Geneva 4X4 sheets
All the samples show coarser features and shading than the originals
The 2 & 5pa are similar to each other but the 20pa has many differences with the other 2The eyes. bushier beard, shading lines and letters are different
Since Fournier sold stamps from different forgers, this is an obvious conclusion for the differences
1866 Issue
NOTE the 20pa comes in 2 Types
Look at the top left & right meandering mandrels.
In the Type 1 (left) the top ones point in the same direction
In the Type2 (right) they point in opposite directions
Genuine Features
The best way to eliminate forgeries is to plate the stamp to see if it matches a Transfer Type.
With the limited transfer types, it is very simple.
2pa
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| 2 pa transfer types |
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| Sc 29 Left: type 4, right: type 5 |
5pa
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| Sc 30 Type 5 |
20pa
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| Sc. 31 Type I & 2 Transfer 6 & Transfer 4 |
NOTE the center stamp is the much scarcer dot in the top right meander Sc 31c.
1868-1870
Sc 33 - 36
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| Genuine set C33-C36 |
1868 Types
2b
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| Type 6 |
3b
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| Type 1 |
4b
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| Types 1 to 8 |
18b
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| Type 3 |
1869 Sc 37-43
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| Complete series |
5b
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| Sc 37 Type 4 |
10b
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| Sc 38 Light Blue Type 1 & 2 |
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| Sc 38 Deep Blue Types 4 & 1 |
15b
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| Sc 40 Type 3 |
25b
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| Sc 41 Types 1, 2 & 3 |
50b
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| Sc 43 Types 3 & 4 |
1871-72 Sc 43-49
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| 1871-72 Sc 43-49 |
5b
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| Types 1,2,3,4 |
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| Types 5,6,7,8,9,10 |
10b Blue
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| Types 4,3,6,5 |
10b Orange Yellow
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| Sc 44 - 1-2 3-4 |
15b
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| Type 3,4,7,8 |
25b
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| Type 4 & 8 |
50b
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| Sc 48 67 67 |
Forgeries
NOTE - the forgeries are VERY plentiful and I cannot for blog size show all of them or the entire numerous full sheets I have.
Most of these as originals command higher than average values so they are more likely philatelic forgeries for collectors as the Spiro & Fournier full sheets indicate.
1865 Forgeries
Genuine left, forgery right - this type is one of the more common ones
The differences in the face, numerals and side letter spacing are obvious
The following are sections from 5X5 Spiro sheets with typical cancels
These are from sheets found in the Geneva Fournier Collection.
Most are from 4X4 sheets.
Original forger is not likely Fournier
1866-67 Forgeries
Vertical line below the top right 2 is open
Wide space in the outer frames
Some pearls are larger
Colored space at 3 o'clock between frames
Notch on the end of the meander
Top of the R slopes down
All in sheet have a dash on the forehead
King appears to be looking up
1868 Forgeries
A rather crude forgery from an unknown source
Torres Forgeries
The line of the upper lip touches the nose
Overall the face has a softer look
There is no dark band in the front hair section
Typical VA cancel of Torres
These are the 2 forgeries that show up most frequently
Full forgery set with similar features
Sparse hair
Small eye
The sleepy eyed king
The left one found in the Fournier Geneva files. It is very close to the original except for several facial differences and minor ones in the letters
They originate on 4X4 layout sheets
The right one "The Angry King" is from 5X5 sheets attributed to Spiro with his common cancels
"Fournier" examples
Spiro examples - "The Angry King"
1869 Forgeries
This group appeared to have the most types
Below the similar blocks cropped from the Fournier Geneva Collection.
These were in 4X4 sheet layouts
Other types
A very crude forgery
Very pointed nose
No details in hair & beard
Thick letters
Thick side meanders
Sparse hair details
A in BANI is tall
The CE letters of DECI are shorter than the other letters
Mouth - moustache very long
A fairly common forgery
Block cropped from the Fournier Geneva Collection 4X4 sheet
Pointed nose
Top letters are uneven and several are very narrow
Torres forgery
Very deceptive
Forgeries on thick pink paper from the Geneva Fournier collection
There appears to be 2 different types
The numeral 0 is wide
Large bottom letters
This is the only sample I have of this type
Pointed nose
Eyes open wider than others
Narrow pointed nose
Thick lines in facial hair
Top letters are short
Large rounded nose
Sparse facial hair
Forgeries with common SIBIESCO signatures that are different
Heavily shaded eye
Very sparse hair details
Odd ear
AN of BANI distorted
1871-72 Forgeries
Sibiesco forgery
Block from a Geneva Fournier full sheet that matches above
Tall A in BANI
Top letters are thicker than original
Neck shading is shorter
Shading in hair & beards heavier
BANI letters are much thicker
Note the very wide margins
Sparse hair & small eye
Tip of nose rounded
Top letters are thicker
Side letters very thick
Very coarse facial hair and neck shading
Crude sparse hair
Lots of artifacts
Right letters very thick
Large shaded eye
Heavy sideburns not in original
Thick side meander
Sperati Forgeries
1871 Sc 44a 10b (on vertically laid paper)
1. there is a dot of color above the serif of right hand "1" of "10"
2. there is a double break in the foot of the "S" of "POSTA"
1871 Sc49 50b
1. there is a dot of blue color above the top right corner
2. there is a break in the inner frameline below the "50" at right
Below blocks from 4X4 Geneva Fournier sheets
Nose has pointed "hook"
Eye is not as well defined
All values appear to have a top left curved serif on the I of BANI
There appears to be 2 different types
Additional forgeries
These 1885 forgeries are well done and from the Geneva Fournier collection
The following full sheets are all from the Geneva Fournier collection
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| 1868 Sc 33 |
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| 1868 Sc 33a |
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| 1868 Sc 34 |
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| 1868 Sc 35 |
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| 1868 Sc36 |
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| 1868 Sc36a |
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| 1869 Sc38 |
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| 1869 Sc41 |
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| 1869 Sc42 |
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| 1871 Sc44 |
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| 1871 Sc45 |
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| 1872 Sc45a |
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| 1872 Sc49 |
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| 1872 Sc52 |
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| 1885 Sc83 |
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| 1885 Sc84 |
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| 1885 Sc85 |
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| 1885 Sc86 |
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| 1885 Sc87 |
