100+ philatelic terms explained - your complete guide to stamp collecting terminology
A stamp impression without color, showing only the embossed design. This occurs when a stamp is printed without ink or the paper fails to receive the ink.
Stamps sent by dealers to collectors on approval, meaning the collector can examine them and return unwanted items. A traditional method of buying stamps by mail.
A postmark or handstamp applied to the back of a cover, usually showing transit or arrival information.
A stamp cut in half (usually diagonally) and used for half its face value. Bisects were often used during stamp shortages.
Four or more unseparated stamps arranged in a rectangle, at least two stamps wide and two stamps high.
A completely fictitious stamp, not a forgery of a real stamp, but invented for a non-existent country or issue.
A design or text printed on a cover to commemorate an event. First Day Covers (FDCs) typically feature cachets.
Stamps canceled by postal authorities without being used for mail, typically sold to collectors at a discount.
The position of the stamp design relative to the perforations. Well-centered stamps have equal margins on all sides and command higher prices.
Stamps issued in long strips or rolls for use in vending machines or affixing machines. Usually perforated on two opposite sides only.
An envelope or wrapper that has been through the postal system. Postal history collectors prize covers with interesting markings or routes.
Regular postage stamps issued for everyday use, typically available for extended periods. Contrast with commemoratives.
The original engraving from which printing plates are made. Die varieties can significantly affect stamp values.
A stamp with a production mistake, such as inverted center, missing color, or wrong perforation. Errors are often highly valuable.
A proposed stamp design that was not adopted for the final issue. Essays are collected as pre-production items.
The monetary value printed on a stamp, indicating its postal rate. Not to be confused with market value.
An envelope bearing a stamp canceled on its first day of issue, usually with a special cancellation and cachet.
An imitation of a genuine stamp, created to deceive collectors or defraud postal services. Expert authentication is essential for valuable stamps.
A pattern of small indentations pressed into stamp paper to break the fibers, allowing cancellation ink to soak in and prevent reuse. Used on US stamps 1867-1871.
The adhesive applied to the back of stamps. Original gum (OG) is the adhesive applied during production. Regummed stamps have new adhesive added later.
The space between panes of stamps on a printed sheet, sometimes collected as gutter pairs when stamps on either side remain attached.
A small piece of gummed paper used to attach stamps to album pages. Hinged stamps have hinge remnants or marks on the gum.
Part of a stamp hinge left on the back of a stamp. Stamps with hinge remnants are worth less than never-hinged examples.
Stamps without perforations, either by design (early stamps) or error. Imperforate stamps must be cut apart with scissors.
A stamp with one element printed upside down relative to the rest of the design. Major inverts are among the most valuable stamps.
Stamps sold by weight, still on paper, usually from commercial mail. A economical way for collectors to obtain many stamps.
A stamp valid only within a limited area, not accepted for national or international mail.
The unprinted border around a stamp design, between the design and perforations. Wide, even margins increase value.
A stamp in original, unused condition as issued by the postal authority. Mint stamps typically have original gum.
Two or more unseparated stamps, including pairs, strips, and blocks.
A mint stamp that has never had a hinge attached, with pristine original gum. NH stamps command premium prices.
Any marking that cancels a stamp, preventing reuse.
The adhesive on a stamp as applied during production. OG stamps may or may not have hinge marks.
Additional printing on a finished stamp, such as new values, names, or commemorative text.
A portion of a printed sheet as sold at post offices. Often incorrectly called a "sheet."
The rows of holes punched between stamps to facilitate separation. Measured by the number of holes in 2 centimeters (perforation gauge).
The study and collection of postage stamps and postal history. A philatelist is a stamp collector.
A number in the sheet margin identifying the printing plate. Plate number blocks are popular collectibles.
An official marking applied to indicate date, place of mailing, or to cancel stamps.
A trial impression from a die or plate, used to check quality before production. Proofs are collectible pre-production items.
A stamp that has had new gum applied to simulate original gum. Regummed stamps are worth less than those with original gum.
A stamp printed from original plates after the issue has been discontinued. Official reprints are legitimate; unofficial ones may be questionable.
The catalog number assigned to stamps by the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, the primary reference for US collectors.
Two or more stamps of different designs printed together and sold as a unit.
The complete unit as printed, before being divided into panes for sale.
A small sheet of one or more stamps, often with decorative margins and text, issued to commemorate an event.
A stamp overprinted or perforated "SPECIMEN" for distribution to postal administrations or the UPU, not valid for postage.
A pair of stamps in which one is inverted relative to the other. French for "head to tail."
A spot on a stamp where paper has been removed, often from hinge removal. Thins significantly reduce value.
A stamp that has not been used for postage, though it may or may not have gum.
A stamp that has fulfilled its postal duty and been canceled.
A stamp that differs from the standard issue in some way, such as color shade, perforation, or printing flaw.
A design or pattern in the paper, visible when held to light, used as a security feature. Watermark varieties can significantly affect value.
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