Many years ago, I attended an auction that sold a huge collection of both coins and stamps. While I was watching the stamps sell, I heard many different vocabulary words that applies to the stamp collection world, and one of the words was dummy stamp.
So, what exactly is a dummy stamp?
A dummy stamp is an officially produced imitation stamp that is used to train employees. It can also test automatic machines that dispense stamps. This type of stamp is usually blank or carry special inscriptions or other distinguishing ornamentation.
In the United States, the Dummy Stamp term relates to test and training stamps. You will see the term used in the United Kingdom more widely to include the promotional and even sample stamps that are produced by the printers.
Dummy stamps are not intended to be collected, but they do reach the hands of collectors by the postal employees that have access to them.
Have you ever run across a dummy stamp?