Encased Stamp Authentication/Value

Saw these recently and wondered how to tell if real and what value to place on them - I see one at over $800.00 and one at a little over $80.00

Hard to tell from the photo....
But looks like the mica covering is missing on both???
Bottom item #EP9...top #EP15

Agree on the ID's, and if the mica is intact the centering on both are good, the top one appears to be cleaned but is in very good condition. Bottom one has some oxidation happening on the bottom of the brass. These are a great piece of postal history but I struggle with how to mount one. Both one you show are real and I'm not sure if there are fakes, I believe all encased stamps have the Patent J Gault inscribed.

The history of these is interesting.

http://arago.si.edu/index.asp?con=1&tid=2036357

I would think the second one with the aged patina would be more valuable than one that has been cleaned, all else being equal for rarity factor and condition, No? John

I think the oxidation of the brass on the 2nd one would affect it's value. As far as I know cleaning the backs of these for preservation purposes does not detract from the value significantly. I cleaned the back of mine before I sent it in for the certificate as I wanted it shown on the cert. The problem with these is what has happened to the bottom one in that the brass will oxidize.

Thanks, good to know that it is not a concern with these. Once upon a time I had an interest in ancient coins having picked them up in the Mediterraen region and cleaning them up to improve the "shine level" was a definite No-No, Dirt and foreign material removal- Yes, patina removal- No.

I do collect encased postage but due to the selling price of these my collection now stands at 1 :)
The smithsonian estimates there are less than 3000 left in existence.

about 3 hours to go on the EP#9 he has it miss labeled

with todays prices are these guys paying to much at $150.00 and it is sure to raise before auction is done.

catalog value scott speciality catalog is $400.00 but nothing seems to sell for full catalog these days.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Encased-Pos...em3ce2f1d54e

ha $187.50 now as I wrote this it went up

Encased postage often sells above catalog. This is something missing from 99% of US collections,

well I saw 2 good deals over on eBay under value and several double catalog value.

one seems good but he pried it apart and it to me is not enclosed anymore lol

i am tempted on the $350.00 items they have ,book of around $400.00

but these are going to have to keep being missed in my collection

however I found a new eBay stamp item to haunt I mean browse over there...

It's over $200 now. I'm not sure I agree with the wear and tear on the brass is minimal statement. Scotts does state that wear and tear is normal since they were carried in pockets with others or coins.

The mica cover is missing....
This greatly reduces value.
Am surprised it is that high.

Seller states Mica is intact, perhaps hard to tell from scan?

watching this at same time

http://www.ebay.com/itm/40072644334....m1426.l2649

Correct me if I'm wrong here but I believe these were nickel plated and specimens with the plating bring far more than catalog. These are very interesting.

I been looking at a few on Dana's site actually. Although prohibitively priced I do like to look.

Here are a few. You can see the plating on these.

http://www.earlyamerican.com/Auctio...s.search.php

I like this one -

http://www.earlyamerican.com/Auctio...&imagesize=G

Brass backing examples that came with silvered cases and still have some or all the original silvering will sell for more.