Posthorn series Federal Republic of Germany 1951-1952

The German Bundespost came into operation on April 1, 1950. As a successor to the series of architectural works issued by the British and American occupiers under the name Deutsche Post, the first values ​​of the Posthoorn series, also known as the Cipher Series (Zifferserie), were issued on June 20, 1951. These were the values ​​of 4 Pf, 10 Pf, and 20 Pf. Instead of Deutsche Post, the name Deutsche Bundespost was now displayed. New values ​​appeared on August 1, 1951: the 2 Pf, 5 Pf, and 30 Pf. The 30 Pf stamp was larger than the previously issued stamps. On September 20, 1951, new values ​​were released again. These were the 6 Pf, 8 Pf, 15 Pf, and 25 Pf in the small format. This was followed on December 20, 1951, by the 40 Pf and 60 Pf in the large format. The 50 Pf and 70 Pf values ​​were issued in the large format on March 11, 1952, and the last two, the 80 Pf and 90 Pf, on April 16, 1952. With that, the series was complete. The print runs of the stamps were very large. However, unused, these stamps, especially the higher values, are very difficult to find! The end of their validity for postage was December 31, 1954. A short period of availability. The prices of these stamps continued to rise. The values ​​of 6 Pf, 8 Pf, 25 Pf up to and including 90 Pf, in particular, were 'forgotten' by collectors. Nowadays, a series in mint condition is worth a small fortune. In 1982, two blocks were issued to commemorate the fact that the Posthorn series had been released 30 years earlier. These blocks were NOT issued by the Bundespost! They were so-called facsimile issues, or reprints. A number of collectors used the stamps from the sheets to fill 'gaps' in their albums! Are these reprints easy to recognize? Fortunately, yes. As an example, the 80 Pf stamp. Both a genuine stamp and a reprint. The reprint bears the text "Faksimile 1982" at the bottom. However, the reprint has another distinguishing feature on the reverse side. The text Faksimile 1982 has been applied here as well. However, since mint stamps in particular are much more expensive than those with an adhesive or residue, or that have been cancelled, it is advisable to have these stamps examined by a recognized examiner. The 60 Pf stamp on the left is mint; the stamp on the right is 'perforated'. Almost invisible, but discovered by the German examiner Hans-Dieter Schlegel from Berlin. He is the expert regarding Posthorn stamps. Upon inspection, he issues a certificate or attestation of authenticity. Sometimes you come across stamps, such as the 80 Pf stamp, with an impression of his postmark on the reverse. Personally, I am not in favor of marking stamps in that way. But he did it in connection with the authenticity of the gum. For it happens that unused stamps, which originally had an adhesive backing, have been cleaned and re-gummed! Would you include these reprints of the Posthorn series in your collection? Or would you prefer the genuine, but cancelled, stamps?