Distinguishing PRC Reprints by Fidelity Trading Co. (reprint)

Distinguishing the PRC Reprints

Information provided in the various catalogues and dealer price lists on distinguishing the official government reprints from the original printings in some cases incorrect or is not the easiest way to distinguish between the two. The data below represents the latest information and our careful comparison of known originals (on genuine first day covers) with known reprints.

#1-4	See Scott Catalogue
#5-7	See Scott Catalogue
#8-11	See Scott Catalogue
#31-34	See Scott Catalogue
#57-39	Under shortwave ultraviolet light the paper on the originals glows violet, while the reprint paper does not glow under UV.
#60-64	All values show a dark (blood) red flag under shortwave ultraviolet light on the originals, while the reprints show a bright red flag. In our opinion, the ribbon information in the various catalogues is generally unreliable. For #62, the identification information in Scott is correct.
#72-73	See Scott Catalogue
#74-76	Originals show no plate impressions on the back of the stamps (especially on the rows of horizontal lines in the design). The reprints show slight to heavy plate impressions. As noted in Scott, under shortwave ultraviolet light the paper glows bright violet on the originals; reprint paper does not glow and shows up in various brownish tones. The paper, if examined closely, is distinctly different when originals and reprints are compared.
#105-107	The vertical height of the printed design on the originals is more than 42.5 mm. The design height on the reprints is less than 42.5 mm. Paper differences, if any, are very subtle, and information about various "blotches" on Mao's head are, in our opinion, generally unreliable and/or impossible to distinguish.
#108-110	See Scott Catalogue
#117-121	The horizontal width of the printed design on the originals is 26.75 mm. The design width of the reprints is .25 mm to .5 mm wider. Paper differences, if any, are very subtle, and, in our opinion, ultraviolet light is of no help (contrary to information published elsewhere).
#122-123	See Scott Catalogue
#124-127	See Scott Catalogue
#128-131	See Scott Catalogue
#132-135	See Scott Catalogue
#141-150	As noted in Scott, originals on very thin gray paper. Design clearly shows through when looking at the back of the stamps on the originals. The reprints are on much thicker white or cream colored paper and design does not show through when looking at the back. Very easy to distinguish.

#1L121-124	Same as #1-4
#1L133-135	Same as #5-7
#1L136-139	Same as #8-11
#1L150-153	Same as #31-34
#1L154-156	Same as #57-59
#1L157-161	Same as #60-64
#1L162-163	Same as #72-73
#1L176-178	Same as #74-76