The Challenge of Counterfeit Items

It is with great concern that we must address the significant issue of forgeries within Iranian philately. The prevalence of counterfeit items presents substantial challenges for collectors, often resulting in:

  • Wasted time and financial resources
  • Compromised integrity of collections
  • Disillusionment among enthusiasts, sometimes leading to their departure from the field altogether

The Need for Education

A critical factor exacerbating this issue has been the historical scarcity of accessible resources to educate collectors about these forgeries. Some experts have previously been hesitant to share their knowledge publicly, fearing that such information might inadvertently assist forgers in refining their techniques.

Our Approach: Knowledge as Power

We fundamentally oppose the notion of withholding information. Our stance is clear: the most effective strategy to combat forgery is to empower every collector with comprehensive knowledge to identify counterfeits. This principle forms one of the primary objectives of our website.

On this page, we will provide examples of forgeries we have encountered, enabling collectors to recognize these counterfeits more easily.

Important Considerations

1- Evolving Techniques: Detecting forgeries is a dynamic field. Forgers continually develop new methods to enhance the authenticity of their products. Therefore, the information shared here should be considered a starting point rather than an exhaustive guide.

2- Expert Verification: The most reliable method to authenticate an item is to obtain a certificate from a recognized expert. While experts may occasionally make mistakes, they possess the most advanced tools and techniques to distinguish genuine items from forgeries. For Iranian items, we recommend seeking certificates from:

By fostering an open dialogue and sharing knowledge, we aim to preserve the integrity and joy of Iranian philately for current and future generations of collectors.

When examining covers for authenticity, consider the following key points:

Date Consistency

  • Quite often, senders wrote the date on covers. These dates should either be the same as or slightly precede the cancellation postmark date.
  • Ensure the dates on both the cover and the cancellation align with: a) The stamp's issue date, b) The period during which the stamp was valid for postage

Regional Usage

For stamps restricted to specific regions confirm that the cancellation postmark matches the authorized regions for that stamp.

Stamp Authenticity

Verify the authenticity of the stamp. If the stamp features an overprint, authenticate the overprint's validity.

Postmark Authenticity

Thoroughly examine cancellations to ensure their validity:

  • Use a reputable cancellation catalog to verify that the postmark on the cover is listed and matches the characteristics described.
  • Be cautious of covers where the majority of the cancellation is on the stamp, with only a small portion visible on the cover itself.
  • Check for absence of cancellation marks under the stamp on the cover. Be wary of stamps that appear tightly adhered to the cover on all sides.
  • Confirm that the texture and color of the postmark are consistent across both the stamp and the cover.

Postage Rate Verification

Be mindful of the postage rate applied to the cover and ensure it aligns with the historical rates for: a) The type of mail (e.g., letter, postcard, parcel) b) The destination (domestic or international) c) Any additional services (e.g., registration)
You can learn more about rates here.

  1. Upon careful examination, this cover exhibits characteristics of a well-crafted forgery. Despite its convincing appearance, there are critical discrepancies that reveal its inauthentic nature:

    i) The cancellation postmark is dated 17/11/1910. However, the stamps affixed to the cover were not issued until 1925. The stamps in question were in circulation only during 1925 and 1926. This glaring anachronism—where the postmark predates the stamps by approximately 15 years—is a definitive indicator of forgery.

    ii) The manuscript date written by the sender on the letter reads "12th of Zi-Alhaje" in the Lunar Hegira calendar. In contrast, the cancellation postmark date (17/11/1910) is equivalent to the "14th of Zi-Alghade" in the Lunar Hegira calendar.

    This cover seems to be completely receated by the forger.

  2. This letter was sent from Nehavand to Tehran on Sunday, 7th of Zi-Alqade, 1335 (Lunar calendar) / August 25, 1917 (Gregorian), from Nehavand. The cancellation postmark shows August 26, 1917 as when the letter was sent and October 5, 1917 when it arrived in Tehran. The extended transit time (41 days) is not unusual, considering it occurred during World War I.

    Stamp usage: The stamps used is 3ch Ahmad Shah Portrait issue of 1911 with "officiel" handstamp. The issue is that these stamps were only in circulation from late 1911 to 1912 and the 1917 postage date is significantly later than the stamps' circulation period.

    Geographical Inconsistency: Ahmad Shah Portrait issue of 1911 with "officiel" were exclusively used in Azerbaijan province, specifically in Tauris (Tabriz), Oroumieh, Djoulfa, Savojbolagh, and Khoy. However, this letter originates from Nehavand, which is not in the Azerbaijan province.

    Handstamp Authenticity: Upon a closer inspection, the "officiel" handstamps on the stamps show significant differences from genuine examples as well.

    The combination of these factors — temporal inconsistency, geographic discrepancy, and questionable handstamps — strongly indicates that this cover is counterfeit and the handstamps are added to the stamps by the forger.

  3. At first glance, this cover, purportedly sent from Rafsanjan to Yazd, appears authentic. However, a closer examination reveals telltale signs of manipulation:

    Postmark Inconsistency: The cancellation postmarks on the stamps do not align with the traces visible on the cover itself. This misalignment suggests that the stamps may have been added or replaced after the original mailing.

    Hidden Original Postmarks: Upon careful lifting of the stamps (a technique that should be performed with extreme caution to avoid damage), one can observe the presence of original cancellation postmarks underneath. The existence of these hidden postmarks is a clear indicator of philatelic forgery or manipulation.

  4. This is a very interesting cover. It was sent from Yazd to Shiraz and the 10ch bisect first portrait issue of 1876 used as 5ch is tied by Yazd 15/10 postmark. Upon a close inspection one can notice the postmark is not similar to the recorded genuine Yazd postmarks and that gives this cover away as a counterfeit.

  5. A very curious post card! This postcard looks so real, however there are serveral telltales thos show it is a forgery. The stamps used on this post card are the Boital forgeries of the Naser-aldin Shah first portrait issue. The (2 1/2) handstamp is also a counterfeit version of the original handstamp used. Both postmarks used on the cover are also not original.