Postmark On #523

What effect does a heavy postmark have on value?

The heavy postmark will generally detract from its value as compared to a similar light postmark example. In the scan you provide, I would be more concerned with what looks like short perfs at the top of the stamp (in the cancelled area) and what the back of the stamp may look like since it appears to be hinged in an album. All of those considerations together would be necessary to apply an appropriate value to the stamp.

I would also question if that is truly a Scott 523 (orange red & black), as it looks to me to more likely be a Scott 547 (carmine & black), which has a modest catalog value of $40 that has remain unchanged for at least the past 8 years. However, that value is assuming a stamp in VF condition.

Agree with wt1, while colors may be somewhat "iffy" depending on scanner and monitor, I would think this is the carmine and black. The orange red is very distinct from the carmine.