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An overprint marking a stamp as not valid for postage.
Also known as: Specimen marking, Sample overprint
In philately a specimen overprint marks a stamp as a sample rather than valid postage, distributed to postal administrations so they could recognise genuine issues.
Was circulated between administrations under Universal Postal Union arrangements so each could recognise the others' genuine issues.
Contexts: History
The word specimen printed across the face of the stamp, sometimes with the paper punched through as well.