(shortened form of "perforated initials" or "perforated insignia") a stamp with privately produced perforations through its face. The perforations are generally in the form of initials or a symbol that identify the owner of the stamp. Perfins are produced by businesses or organizations to discourage theft or misuse of their stamps. Perfins were first made in 1908, and were most popular through the 1950s. see Control Perfin.
stamp perforated by initials to prevent unauthorized use
a perforated design, symbol, insignia, letter, or group of letters in a postage stamp placed there by and individual, organization, or government agency for the purpose of controlling the stamp's postal use
(shortened form of "perforated initials" or "perforated insignia") a stamp with privately punched holes, similar to perforations, in the form of initials or a symbol that identifies the owner of the stamp. Perfins were produced by businesses and organizations to prevent theft or misuse of their stamps.
Normal stamps which have initials formed in the stamp by perforations. Often used by commercial organisations as a security measure.
Stamps perforated through the face by private firms with initials or designs.
A perfin (a contraction of 'PERforated INitials'), also called SPIFS (a contraction of 'Stamps Perforated by Initials of Firms and Society's'), is a pattern of tiny holes punched through a postage stamp. Organizations used perforating machines to make perforations forming letters or designs in postage stamps with the purpose of preventing pilferage. The size and number of perfins is usually regulated by law or postal regulation in the relevant country.