US 1981 5c Motorcycle

Seeing I know nothing about U.S. stamps can someone tell me what the number 4 at the bottom means (is it a plate number?)

Thanks
Al.

Yes, it is a plate number used specifically on coil stamps. The stamp you scanned is a Scott #1899 from the popular Transportation Series of definitive stamps. I have an older Scott Specialized Catalog (2002) suggesting that the stamp is valued used at 80 cents as compared to 20 cents for the same stamp without the plate number.

Thanks WT1

I'm in the money now.

How many plates are there?

Actually Al, bad news, there has been a drop in price since 2002.
I have the 2008 Scott Specialized from the library (can't afford to buy one)
which states that Plate # single, #1 - 4 - used is valued at .75
Sorry

I hate to be the one to break it to you Al but the 2011 price for that used plate number single is $.45. Your only hope for striking it rich on that stamp is to find an unused imperf. pair ($2,750).

Geez

I'm sinking fast

Wow! That stamp lost 43.75% of its value in 9 years. Anyone know if that is typical of all of the Transportation Series coils? Seems like it's dropping like a rock. Any reason?

Aussie Al you just hang onto that stamp. 1cent or $10000 it still is a great stamp. Remember you are collecting stamps not dollars (listen to me, the original hunt for the retirement stamp man). Seriously though some go up some down, but all told they still have great appeal as part of a collection. -jeff

Hey don't spend that all in one place Aussie_Al!

wow....and to think..if you actually bid and win on ebay....
you have to wait an enormous amount of time to actually put your hands on it. :))

Thanks Guys

I only have 10 U.S. stamps and they are all in my Motorcycle collection.

More and more used examples of the plate number single turn up in time, so in general the used prices go down with time and then stabilize.

This is usually more pronounced with the higher plate numbers, as they are usually the last to be produced and last to be distributed.

When more do NOT turn up, that's when the value goes up. Those are far and few between, but you will still see a number of $10+++ used plate number singles in the Transportation Series. Those are really not that easy to find even in bulk used PNC lots.

Make sure you get these as part of your US Motorcycle collection:

Wt1
I have a used set that I picked up thru ebay.