Identifying Illegal Stamps
There is no definitive method to identifying illegal stamp issues.
- Many illegal stamps are issued in the names of countries or territories from Africa or the former Soviet Union, or smaller island nations from around the world. Older illegal issues (from the 1970s) were often in the names of Arab states.
- The designs often feature popular topics such as animals, sporting heroes, and movie stars unrelated to the country or territory named on the stamps.
- Most illegal stamps are not listed in the major stamp catalogues, though some may have been included in error or because their status is unclear or because the criteria for entry differ from those used by the UPU to recognise valid stamp issues.
- The WADP Numbering System (WNS), developed by the World Association for the Development of Philately and the UPU, catalogues stamps issued by UPU member nations since 2002. Not all UPU members participate.
- The UPU periodically issues advisories at the request of the postal authorities of member nations, listing illegal stamps.
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