Glossary of Philatelic Terms

CHARITY STAMPS
These are issues on which an extra fee is charged by the post office to raise funds for hospitals, medical funds,orphanages.
COILS
Stamps that are printed in rolls and used in vending machines
COMMEMORATIVES
Stamps to mark a special occasion, events or honor important people
CURRENT ISSUES
Stamps in use at the present time
DEFINITIVE
Regular issues printed in large numbers & normally sold for a longer period of time – as opposed to commemorative and other stamps put on sale for only a few days or weeks
DEMONETIZED
A stamp which can no longer be used on letters or parcels. In Britain, for instance, stamps issued before the reign of King George V no longer have any postal value
DUPLICATE
A spare copy of a stamp already in your album – and therefore useful for exchanging with other collectors
EMBOSSED
A way of printing in which the design is raised above the normal surface of the paper
ESSAYS
Designs for stamps which the authorities have considered but have decided not to issue
FACE VALUE
The actual postal value of a stamp as shown in its design or surcharge
FIRST DAY COVER
An envelope bearing a post-mark dated on the first day of issue of a stamp
FORGERY
A stamp altered by adding overprints or imitation of rare errors; alternatively a complete stamp printed to resemble the genuine article and so to deceive either collectors or the postal authorities

Definitive Stamp

1852 Charity Stamp

USA Coil Stamp

1852 Embossed Stamp

Original & the Forgery