Expertization

Expertization certificate issued in 2004 for a 1915 Russian 10 ruble postage stamp.

Expertization is the process of authentication of an object, usually of a sort that is collected, by an individual authority or a committee of authorities.

The expert committee will examine the collectible and issue a certificate typically including:

1. A statement of:
   1. Whether or not the item is authentic
   2. Identification of any damage to the item
   3. Identification of any repairs to the item
   4. Identification of any forgery or faked parts of the item
2. A photo of the item

Some experts will apply an experts mark, signature, or similar marking to the item to attest to its genuineness.

Expertization is particularly common with valuable philatelic items, some of which are so often forged that they may be unsaleable without an expert certificate confirming that they are genuine.

See also

• Philatelic expertization

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