Stamp Collecting Guide

A stamp auction can be a great place to find some wonderful additions for your collection. Unfortunately, a stamp auction can also be rife with counterfeits, scams and frauds. Read the tips and guidelines below to find out how you can protect yourself from these problems.

The most important weapon in your arsenal of protection against scam and fraud in a stamp auction is knowledge and plenty of it. Take the time to find out as much as you can about the particular stamp or stamps that are up for auction. This is where a good stamp catalog can come in very handy.

Be aware that it can be extremely difficult, even for experienced stamp collectors, to detect forgeries, counterfeits and stamps that have been repaired. Don’t be surprised to find that even a stamp that is worth quite a bit may have been repaired to make it seem even more valuable. One of the easiest ways to pose a scam in a stamp auction is to counterfeit a postmark. Keep in mind that the presence of a postmark does not guarantee the authenticity of a stamp.

A stamp catalog, such as the Scott catalog, can provide a wealth of information regarding whether counterfeits of a particular stamp exists. If the catalog states that counterfeits of the stamp in the stamp auction exist, be sure to proceed with extreme caution.

Whenever possible, you should try to view the stamp in person. This isn’t always possible, especially with an online stamp auction but try to determine whether the stamp looks as though it may have been repaired. Due to the fact that condition is one of the major factors affecting the value of a stamp, repair jobs are one of the easiest ways for a counterfeiter to try to repair a stamp and recoup a tidy profit for it. Savvy cons will carefully glue tears back together and even stick small pieces of paper over thin spots to try to make stamps appear as though they are in better condition than they really are.
Other ways a counterfeiter can repair a stamp include re-gumming the backs, improving hinge marks and removing ink stains; all of which could devalue the stamp.

In other cases, a counterfeiter may attempt to counterfeit the cover on which the stamp is attached; particularly if the cover would increase the value of the stamp in question. By counterfeiting handwriting on an envelope, postal marks and even the paper itself on which the stamp is attacked, counterfeiters hope to create worth out of something that is probably quite worthless.

Try to find out as much information as you can about the seller in the stamp auction. If you are considering an online stamp auction, you may be able to view information about the seller’s past transactions. Making sure you are dealing with a reputable dealer is one of the best ways to protect yourself in a stamp auction.

Request information regarding the terms and conditions of the sale as well as whether there is a return policy. It is also extremely important to make sure you have read all of the information regarding the stamp auction. This is particularly true if you are considering an online stamp auction.

Make sure you have also figured delivery costs into the final price when dealing with an online stamp auction. For expensive stamps, insurance should also be included.

Exercising good common sense can also help to protect you from potential scam and fraud in a stamp auction. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Finally, be aware that you can also have an expert look at the stamp in question and determine whether it appears to be authentic before placing a bid on the stamp. These types of services are offered through the American Philatelic Society. Be aware that this can become fairly pricey so you would only want to do this if the stamp you are considering purchasing through a stamp auction is thought to be valuable.