Value of Old Postage Stamps
The value of old postage stamps
is, most commonly, little more than the face value of the stamp. The
value of stamps, like almost everything else, is determined largely by
how rare the stamp is and if it is in demand.
The same stamp can have many different values. One factor that determines a stamp's value is its condition
or grade. Stamps with little physical deterioration due to age or
handling are easily worth much more than stamps that have been bent or
collected a large amount of dust. Similarly, stamps that have been used
are worth significantly less than stamps in unused condition. In fact,
unused, undamaged stamps can easily be worth twice what a used stamp
is. However, how do people determine the value of a stamp? Many books
have chronicled the value of stamps over time. Many stamps that are
valuable simply were rare at the time they were produced and are even
rarer today. Rarity of stamps like the Hawaiian Missionaries
makes them incredibly valuable. Since their use in mid 19th century
Hawaii, it is estimated that only about 200 of these stamps are still
in existence. Showing the value of old postage stamps like these, the Dawson Cover features two Hawaiian Missionaries stamps, including a rare 2 cent stamp, and was last sold for 2.09 million dollars.
On the other hand, not all old postage stamps are as valuable. The Penny Black,
famous for being the first postage stamp in existence, was printed in
quantities in the tens of millions. Unused Penny Blacks are worth
almost 2,000 dollars, but used Penny Blacks are worth little more than
$20. However, as time passes and fewer of these stamps exist in good
condition, their prices will most certainly go up. One final quality
which helps to determine the value of old postage stamps is if they
were a misprint or a limited
print. Misprints are stamps that were printed with minor or major
imperfections. Since these stamps were printed by mistake, they usually
end up being quite rare. For instance, the Treskilling Yellow is
a misprinted yellow stamp that also happens to be the most valuable
stamp in the world, having a worth of at least two million dollars.
If you would like to discuss the value of old postage stamps, please register and participate in the CollectStampsandPostcards.com forum.
