Dictionary of Stamp Collecting Terminology Articles | Stamps

By: J.Morgan

People new to the world of stamp collecting may have trouble keeping up with some of the lingo used. Nothing says “I don’t know what I’m doing” like using the wrong term at the wrong time, and that can hurt you in any bargains, trades or other discussions.

Learn these beginner stamp collecting terms to get yourself up to speed.

•    Approvals – Approvals refers to a system in which a dealer will send or provide stamps to a collector for them to choose, or “approve”, while sending the ones they don’t want back.
•    Booklet Panes – Booklet panes are simply printed sheets of stamps in the form of a booklet.
•    Commemorative Sheet – A commemorative inscription on a sheet of stamps.
•    Counterfeit – A fraudulent copy of a stamp made to look like the real thing.
•    CtO – CtO stands for Cancel to Order which implies the stamps in question were canceled without ever actually having been used.
•    Embossed Stamps – These stamps have a design with a partially raised surface.
•    Error – An error in the stamp collecting world refers to the multitude of stamps that are made slightly incorrect from their specifications and are released to the public.
•    Fake/Forgery – Two synonyms for counterfeit. All are used illicitly to make a profit.
•    Issue – Issue refers to a limited release or “issuing” of a stamp. Can also refer to a period of time of issuance, as a means of keeping track.
•    Mint Stamps – Mint as in mint quality, original and unused, perfect quality.
•    Mint Sheet – An entire sheet of mint stamps.
•    Mint Never Hinged – Another stamp grade, for a stamp that has original gum and doesn’t have any other creases, folds, marks or stains.
•    Multiples – Multiples refer to a non-separated group of stamps.
•    Name Block – The term name block refers to a block of stamps with a name rather than a number in the margin.
•    New Issue – The newest issued stamp varieties.
•    On Cover – On cover stamps are still attached to the mail on which they were used. Also known as On Paper.
•    Packet – Stamps sold collectively as a packet or group.
•    Pair – Two adjacent stamps of a sheet, either vertically or horizontally.
•    Reprinted Stamps – Stamps reprinted from an original plate.
•    Reissued Stamps – Stamps that come back into release after an absence.
•    Se-tenant – These are stamps that are adjoined but have different qualities such as design.

Hopefully these terms can help you to understand more about stamp collecting. Mastering these terms will increase your ability to pursue the hobby, whatever level you are trying to do it on.