This is a
suggestion for a simplified sorting procedure for the most common of these items. It is based on
distinguishing features of the design, so a magnifying glass
may be needed. The checklist starts with those
alternatives that are easiest to detect.
COMPARE FEATURES ILLUSTRATED BELOW
WITH THOSE OF THE GENUINE STAMP AT LEFT.
NOTE TYPICAL DAMAGE TO THE LINE ABOVE 'X'.
STEP 1.
If the pearls below M and O are positioned like this, and the line above X is
undamaged, it is a Forgery 2. Also compare the shape of the letter M.
STEP 2.
If the line above X is damaged, as in the genuine stamp, but the pearl below EX is
cut by the line above it, it is a Forgery 1. Both F2 and F1 are always
perforated on all four sides.
STEP 3.
If there is a tiny dot or short vertical dash below M, and the line above X is damaged, it
is a State 4 stamp – either a reprint or, maybe, a genuine remainder.
Beware of scratched out
dots.
Most reprints are perforated on all four sides, clean-cut.
STEP 4. If the stamp
has none of the three features illustrated above, but the line above X is
damaged, it is probably a genuine State 3 stamp. These are usually roughly
perforated on three or two sides only (1d may have 4 sides perf.).
If nothing of the above fits, it
could be a valuable State 1 or 2 stamp, or a rare forgery.
Address of the
Samoa postage stamps main page:
www.filatelia.fi/forgeries/samoa-express.html
This is a
suggestion for a simplified sorting procedure for the most common of these items. It is based on
distinguishing features of the design, so a magnifying glass
may be needed. The checklist starts with those
alternatives that are easiest to detect.
