Types of error stamps

Learn about the different types of postage stamps errors and the value of error stamps

 

Stamps that have major, consistent, and unintentional deviation from the normal stamps are considered errors. Postage stamp errors are sometimes caused during stamp printing process. Error stamps do not show the intended appearance of the desired stamp design.

There are factors that cause postage stamp errors like wrong denominations, wrong or missing colors, misplaced or an inverted design element, missing parts of the stamp design, wrong stamp paper, wrong watermark, double impressions, and others.

Value error stamps or substituted subject

A postage stamp value error is when the value of the stamp is interchanged. For instance, a low-value denomination is being used on a design intended for high values.

Omission error stamps

Omission error stamp is one of the major types of error stamps. Omission error occurs when part of stamp design is missing.

The Thatcher Ferry bridge commemorative stamp is one of these omission error stamps. It was known to be the most famous Canal Zone stamp. The stamp design was to commemorate the Thatcher Ferry Bridge, but an error has been made. The bridge itself was omitted. One pane of fifty stamps was released without the silver ink used to depict the bridge.

When Canal Zone postal authorities knew about the omitted design, they planned to print millions of stamps bearing the same error design to destroy the value of these error stamps.