Die Proof Forgeries of Canada Maple Leaf and Numeral Issue
Recently in 2022 and 2023 a large number of forged die proofs of several values of the Canada Maple Leaf and Numeral Issues have appeared on the market.
Copies of a few are shown below:
A significant number have been purchased on Facebook Marketplace – Montreal and on EBay. Currently we know of 35 examples of these dangerous forgeries.
These forgeries have been photographically generated quite probably starting with images taken off the internet from auction sale catalogues. Then the images have been technically developed through a specific printing process that deposits raised ink and simulates the intaglio printing used for 19th and early 20th century stamps. These images have been printed on a thin wove beige paper. These are not the usual crude modern fake images produced using dot-matrix or laser printing from computer photos of real stamps.
However, these dangerous forgeries are not printed from a line engraved die on india paper as are genuine copies. While the image is good it is not as fine and crisp as the real die proof or the issued stamp. The Maple Leaf and Numeral Issues produce a much cleaner, finely inked die proof and issued stamp. Also, the forged die proof design measures a slightly larger size than a genuine stamp. The forged design is slightly taller and wider than the genuine stamp design.
A recent submission to the Greene Foundation Expert Committee consisted of – 5 images of the 10c Maple Leaf, 2 images of the 20c Numeral and 3 images of the unissued 4c Numeral Essay, all in a variety of colours. All were printed in the same manner as described above, on the same off-white thin paper. The production of these forgeries is not limited to these specific items. We have been advised of 10 copies of each of an unissued 15c and 50c Numeral Essay along with copies of a few essays from different issues.
Collectors are urged to be careful about acquiring any so-called die proofs of these issues without solid input from one of our major auction firms or getting Expert Certificates.
— Expert Committee, Greene Foundation