Counterfeit stamps

emmbrook

misterthrifty wrote: »

I recall there was a system for returning unwanted postage to Edinburgh using form P674, though they deduct 15% for admin. I'm not sure whether the privatised RM still does that.


When decimal currency was introduced there was an amnesty period for using or returning postage so they will probably have to do that again when they get a chance to demonatize previous issues, Brexit, death of the Monarch? Will they continue to issue postage stamps after that though? The philatelic market is not as big as it was and most small PO's don't stock many of the new issues already.

Since most dealer stock is sold at about 30% discount it would seem not as they’d get a better deal selling back to RM.

001uk

custardy wrote: »

Maybe RM should simply cease to accept old stamps,after it works for bank notes.

In fact "banknotes" - and I presume you mean ones issued by the Bank of England - are never obsolete as they will always be redeemable for their face value from the Bank of England (provided they're in £s).

RM are obliged to accept any genuine UNUSED Decimal stamp - it's a paid token of a service they have agreed to provide.

However, the interesting bit is what will happen when QEII is no longer with us.How long will they honour the stamps of her reign? Not long me thinks!

001uk

misterthrifty wrote: »

I recall there was a system for returning unwanted postage to Edinburgh using form P674, though they deduct 15% for admin. I'm not sure whether the privatised RM still does that.

I believe Form P674 was not valid for stamps sold "Philatelicly" so this is/was not an option for stamp dealers moving on stocks of postage.

NBLondon

001uk wrote: »

I believe Form P674 was not valid for stamps sold "Philatelicly" so this is/was not an option for stamp dealers moving on stocks of postage.

How would you tell? I could buy a Presentation Pack from a PO and another direct from Tallents House but they will be identical... Presumably, it was if you bought them by the sheetload for business mailing and then didn't need them; you could return unused sheets/part-sheets and pay the equivalent of a re-stocking fee. So if you buy them as Blogg's Solicitors - fine - but if you buy them as Bloggs and Son Stamp Dealers they would refuse. Stops dealers ordering more than they sell and trying for "sale or return" by the backdoor.

Tallaght

There are fake stamps everywhere from auction sites to corner shops.

lammy82

001uk wrote: »

However, the interesting bit is what will happen when QEII is no longer with us.How long will they honour the stamps of her reign? Not long me thinks!

Why wouldn't they?

NBLondon

'Cause it's happened before....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postage_stamp_demonetization#United_Kingdom

I can't find a definitive source but various stamp boards have debated it and it seems that the last Queen Victoria stamps became invalid in 1915 and the last Edward VII in 1930. So the changeover period is pretty long. Given the number out there since 1971 - it would probably be 20 years plus if they decided to do it again.

misterthrifty

I don't think it would be nearly that long. The basic letter rate of 1d lasted for so many years that much of the postage that had been sold was still the current rate. After decimalisation I think it was a just few months that old sterling could be used up. RM are privatised now so I don't think they would feel so responsible for revenue that went to the old RM up to 48 years ago.