The Philatelic Foundation is the only expertizing service in the United States to own and operate the VSC6000 in examining stamps and covers that have 
been submitted for Certificates of Authenticity. This remarkable piece of high technology equipment makes a wealth of programs and processes available to the Philatelic Foundation’s staff of experts. A recent submission to the PF highlights this equipment’s remarkable capabilities.
The 90c 1869 Issue (Scott 122) stamp shown in Figure 1 appears to be a wonderful example of this difficult issue—well centered with wide margins and lightly cancelled. But put to the test with the VSC6000’s high magnification capability, it became apparent that the stamp’s upper left corner had been repaired and that the triangular design in that corner had been skillfully painted in as seen in Figure 2. When compared with a genuine example of this intaglio printed stamp under high magnification as seen in Figure 3, the faked “art work” on the patient is obvious.
Based on its “high-tech” examination, the stamp was issued a Certificate, as seen in Figure 4, stating the PF’s opinion that the stamp’s upper left corner had been repaired and a portion of the design 
painted-in.
Written by Robert G. Rose who is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees