what exactly does specimen overprint on U.S. Stamps mean what was the purpose of this I have seen a couple with the word specimen overprinted and are these legitment stamps worth the same as there counterpart without the overprint
Keep Postal systems alive, buy stamps and mail often 17 Dec 2010 09:03:55pm
re: Specimen overprint on u.s. stamps
A specimen stamp is a postage stamp sent to postmasters and postal administrations so that they are able to identify valid stamps and to avoid forgeries. The usual method of invalidating the stamps is either overprinting in ink or perforating the word Specimen across the stamp and where English is not the common language, the words Muestra (Spanish), Monster (Dutch), Muster (German) or Russian) have been used instead.
Value is only to those who collect such items. Perry
Dear Guys, I always thought that this was the final step(s) in the printing process before deciding upon the issue as a legitimate stamp. Earlier steps include essays, trial color proofs, proofs,and then the specimens. They are highly collectible, often are quite under priced in Scotts, and exist in very limited quantities compared to a regular stamp issue. Personally I just love them. Dan
Countries also submitted their stamps overprinted "Specimen" to the Universal Postal Union so that postal administrations in other countries would know what stamps were valid.
