Knowing the meanings of certain stamp terms is an important part of stamp collecting because it means you have a thorough understanding of what you are doing. Here are some of the stamp terms that are well worth knowing:
Adhesive – This is, in actuality, exactly what a stamp is. A stamp is simply a piece of paper that pays for postage when it is applied to a piece of mail. A stamp is a piece of paper that has a pressure sensitive or gummed back.
Airmail Stamps – These are postage stamps that are used to pay postage rates for airmail. The United States stopped issuing airmail-specific stamps during the 1970s, which was when they began to send all mail via air.
As Is - This is a term that is often used in auctions, denoting that a stamp is being sold without any additional guarantees attached to it.
Authentication Mark – This is a tiny mark appearing on many rare and older postage stamps. What it is meant to do is to denote that the stamp has been examined by an expert, and that its authenticity has been approved.
Backstamp – This is a postmark that is applied to a cover’s reverse, indicating the transit or the receipt of mail.
Block - This is an un-separated, even numbered selection of stamps, such as a block of four stamps, six stamps, twelve stamps or so on.
Bogus - This is a fictitious label that appears like a stamp, but that is created specifically for being sold to collectors. Bogus stamps are not used for postage, but simply for displaying and collecting.
Cancel - This is a marking that indicates that a postage stamp has already been used.
Catalog - This is a comprehensive listing of revenue and postage stamps, including their illustrations and their current price valuations as well.
Catalog Value – This is the value of a particular stamp as given or indicated by a particular stamp catalog.
Centering – This is the position of the design of the stamp in relation to the margins that surround it. Centering is particularly important in the determination of a value on a stamp.
Classic Stamp – This is an early stamp issue that has the connotation of rarity.
Coil - These are stamps that are prepared in rolls from between 100 and 1000 stamps that are inserted into vending machines.
Commemorative – These are stamps that are issued for the purpose of honoring a person, a place or an event.
Condition - This is the stamp’s overall state, including the state of the gum, the centering of the stamp, the presence of damage on the stamp and so on.
Counterfeit - This describes a stamp or a cover or a cancellation that was created in order to deceive.
Crease – This is a fold indicating a weakening of the stamp’s paper.
Photo credits: karen horton
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