1861 4 Schillinge
Genuine vs. Forgeries
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Dot below the “P” of “POSTMARKE” outside the inner frame line.
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Two dots in the top and bottom outside corners of vertical stoke of the “B” of “BERGEDORF”
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Dot in the middle bar of “E” in “POSTMARKE”. Sometimes, there is also a dot at the middle bar of “E”
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All balls touch both frame and rings
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The two top balls (right of the “L” and left of the “H”) are centered under the left leg of the respective letters “R” in BERGEDORF.
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55 same-sized interlocked rings
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Dot on the ring under the “E” of “BERGEDORF”.
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Dot in the chain ring between “IE” of “VIER”.
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Tip of the eagle’s wing touches the rings just opposite to the “L”
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Six wavy lines of background between the wing and neck of the eagle
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Dot below the bottom wavy line between the wing and neck of the eagle.
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Four seldom complete vertical shading lines inside the the top of the shield
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Five white lines/marks in the bottom of the shield.
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Dot between bottom two claws of the eagle.
1861. Genuine Michel #5
1872 Moens reprint
Significant slash inside of the ring chain on the left at the height of the “IE” of “VIER”. “RG” of “BERGEDORF” contiguous; “BE” close together. Tiny dot in the second “I” of “SHILLINGE”.
1874 Moens reprint
Horn-like extension on the head of the eagle (eagle wears a spiked helmet). Right above the black “P” of “LHPA” broken ring and black blob. Darker neck and head. Fairly clean, normal letters.
1887 Moens reprint
Significant oblique slash on the left inside of the ring chain at the level of the “IE” of “VIER”. Smudged letters. Neck and head with white places. Torn wavy lines. Tiny dot in the second “I” of “SHILLINGE”.
Illustration by Plácido Ramón de Torres: Album ilustrado de sellos de correo, Barcelona 1879. Torres sold illustrations to various dealers/forgers from 1864 onwards, as well as made forgeries himself.