Overprints and Surcharges
Also called surcharged stamps.
Period: 1850s onward
Applied to change a stamp's value, its country of use, or its purpose. Overprints are among the most faked things in the hobby, because adding ink to a common stamp is cheap and the result can be worth a great deal.
What you are looking at
Additional text or numerals printed over an existing stamp, often in a contrasting colour.
What to check
- A surcharge changes the denomination — a new figure printed over the old one.
- An overprint changes the country or purpose — a place name, 'OFFICIAL', or a commemorative text.
- Check that the overprint sits on top of the original ink under magnification, and that it has appropriate wear and colour for its age.
- Inverted, double and misplaced overprints are collectable errors — and heavily faked for the same reason.
- Occupation and provisional issues from periods of political upheaval are a large category and frequently the most valuable overprints.
What it is worth
Some overprints multiply a stamp's value enormously, which is exactly why expertisation matters. Any expensive overprint should carry a certificate from a recognised expertising body before money changes hands.
Confused with
Applied to genuine common stamps. Ink that sits differently, wrong typeface, wrong measurements. This category requires expert certification rather than a personal judgement.
Questions about this
How do you identify overprints and surcharges?
A surcharge changes the denomination — a new figure printed over the old one. An overprint changes the country or purpose — a place name, 'OFFICIAL', or a commemorative text.
Are overprints and surcharges valuable?
Some overprints multiply a stamp's value enormously, which is exactly why expertisation matters. Any expensive overprint should carry a certificate from a recognised expertising body before money changes hands.