First Issue Stamp Forgeries
Finland
Finland Genuine
1856, Finland, Scott #1, Genuine
(1.) Small pearls in the post horns.
(2.) Diamond shaped secret mark between the shield and the crown.
(3.) Periods after the "5's" and the Russian "P's" are diamond shaped.
(4.) All the stars are 5-pointed.
(5.) Legs of the Russian letter "P" are joined at the top.
(6.) The tail goes behind the middle star on the right.
(7.) Exp: APS cert. Notes:do.
1958, Finland, Scott #3, Genuine
(1.) Large pearls in the post horns. The one in the left post horn seems about ready to fall out.
(2.) Diamond shaped secret mark between the shield and the crown.
(3.) Periods after the "5's" and the Russian "P's" are diamond shaped.
(4.) All the stars are five pointed.
(5.) Legs of the Russian "P" are joined at the top.
(6.) The lions tail passes behind the middle star on the right.
(7.) Exp: Jay Smith cert. Notes:do.
1856, Finland, Facit #FK8I, Cutout from Postal Stationary, Genuine
(1.) Small pearls in the post horns.
(2. Printed on diagonally laid paper.
(3.) Other identifying marks are all the same as #1 above.
(4.) Exp:do.
Finland Forgery
Deep blue forgery of Finland #1 of unknown origin
(1.) Blue color is a shade too deep.
(2.) The lion's tail does not pass behind the middle star on the right, but rather to the left of it.
(3.) The cross does not rest on top of the orb but rather presses down into it.
(4.) Secret mark between the crown and the shield is the wrong shape.
(5.) The legs of the Russian "P" are not joined together at the top.
(6.) Exp:do
Fournier forgery of Finland #1 with a rectangular cancel
(1.) No secret mark between the crown and the shield.
(2.) Periods after the"5"s and the "P"s are round, not diamond shaped.
(3.) Middle part of the lion's tail, which should pass behind the middle star, is missing.
(4.) Only two pearls below the orb on the crown.
(5.) At least four of the stars on the shield are six pointed.
(6.) This forgery and the one below with a circular cancel were printed together in sheets of 25 (5 x 5).
(7.) Exp:do.
Fournier forgery of Finland #1 with a circular Cancel
1.) No secret mark between the crown and the shield.
(2.) Periods after the "5"s and the "P"s are round, not diamond shaped.
3.) Middle part of the lion's tail, which should pass behind the middle star, is missing.
(4.) Only two pearls below the orb on the crown.
(5.) At least four of the stars are six pointed.
(6.) This forgery and the one above it were printed at the same time in sheets of 25 (5 x 5).
(7.) Exp:do.
Round cut forgery of Finland #1 of unknown origin
(1.) Legs of the Russian "P" are not joined together at the top, as the genuine are. .
(2.) Exp: APS cert. (counterfeit with a fake cancellation). Notes do.
Finland #1 Full Sheet of Fournier forgeries
(1.) Notes do.