How to Start

One of the best ways to start learning how to determine whether a stamp is genuine or forged is to learn the basics of the genuine stamp and watch for differences in the stamp in question.   Except when the forgery is easily identified by the “signed marking”  (sankō, mozō: or mihon) or the forgery is very crude,  a genuine stamps will be presented together with the forgery.  Since new forgeries can be made anytime, the best way to identify forgeries is to know the genuine stamp well. Remember  that any particular feature described as a feature of a forgery could also be a mistake (variety) in genuine stamp. In that case it’s other features that help make the determination of the true status of the stamp.  A good knowledge of the genuine is the essential.  some mysteries may never be solved to everyone’s satisfaction.  The opinion of experts is just an opinion and opinions can vary.  Fortunately the early forgers made enough mistakes so  most experts about most forgeries agree.

This study concerns itself with the early classic stamps of Japan:

• • • The Dragon issues (1871-1872)
    • The Cherry Blossom issues (1872-1876)
    • The Koban issues (1876-1892)

IMPORTANT:  Each of the stamp graphics are presented in a “lightbox”  which means that you can click on the graphic and get an enlargement.  To close the enlargement, click on the X at the top NE corner of the graphic.  Take care not to close the whole site by clicking of the x higher up in the NE corner of the page.

Genuine Koban Issues

 

In 1876 Japanese stamp printing was revolutionized  by Edoardo Chiossone of Italy, who arrived in Japan in 1875 and was employed by Japan’s government printing bureau from then until he retired in 1891.

Chiossone was a skilled engraver, printer, and artist and introduced the latest European techniques for both engraving and relief printing.    He was both the designer and plate-maker for the Koban Series introduced in May 1876.  From a single die, he could make relief plates of 80 positions (later 100).  Unlike the old etched plates each position was identical and the plates could be used much longer and thus print a much larger number of stamps before being replaced.   This also means that there are fewer genuine varieties of Koban values and thus somewhat less to learn about identifying the forgeries.

The Koban stamps issued from 1876-1879 are usually referred to as the Old Koban Series.   The three Koban stamps issued in 1883 in response to the Universal Postal Union’s decision that the stamps of all countries intended for the prepayment of international basic rates for printed matter, postcards , and letters should be in green, red, and blue respectively are called UPU Koban.  Koban issues from 1888-1892 are referred to the New Koban Series.

The koban was an elongated gold coin with a wide range of values. It was used between 1609 – 1870. For this reason the series of stamps has become known to collectors as the Koban Series.  Forgeries of the Koban stamps are engraved or lithographed.

 

Both the genuine Cherry Blossom Issues and the Koban issues have the Kiku (Chrysanthemum) Crest in the design.  The genuine crest has 16 ray florets or petals. Forgeries often have 16 but 13, 14, 15, and 17 are common on the Cherry Blossom issues.  The Koban issues also have the crest, but there are few known forgeries with other than the 16 petals.   Any number of petals other than 16 on a stamp of either issue, is proof  that the stamp is a forgery.

Next Steps

There are many stamps that need discussion but some can be looked at together.  Those that can be discussed together have the same important characteristics.  For instance the 48 mon dragon stamp, Scott #1 and the 1/2 sen dragon stamp Scott #5, have the same vignette.  Only the value plate was changed.

When the “easy to recognize” forgeries have been weeded out, an expert opinion can be obtained on the remaining stamps from the International Society for Japanese Philately for as little as $1.00 each without certificate.

The first and easiest way to identify a forgery is to determine whether or not the stamp bears the inscription labeling it as an imitation.  These are referred to as “signed markings”.  A very large percentage of the forgeries of Japanese stamps do bear such  inscriptions.  The most common of these inscriptions is sankō, followed by mozō.  The least common is mihon which was also used on genuine stamps to indicate “specimen”.
They can be: 

• Either vertical or horizontal
• Often the same color as the rest of the design
• Small
• Often concealed with a forged postmark
• If the stamp is of the Cherry Blossom or Koban series, check the chrysanthemum crest to be certain it has 16 petals.  All genuine chrysanthemum crests have 16 petals.  If you find a crest with either a greater or lessor number of petals, it is proof that the stamp is a forgery.
• Some of the Dragon series and Cherry Blossom series stamps have “secret marks” that can help identify the genuine.  Look for the genuine secret mark.  If it is present, the stamp is usually genuine.

 

Graphics

Almost all of the graphics on this site use a “lightbox” that is;  hover over the graphic and a + will appear, click on the + to enlarge the graphic.  To reduce size again, click on the light x in the upper right corner.

 

Mi-ho-n (Hiragana): Meaning “sample” or “specimen”.  Mihon on genuine specimen stamps reads left to right on older issues and right to left on more modern issues.