Filling Spaces With What I Once Though Was Out Of Reach.

I call it the wacky world of the classics. It isn't a market for the weak and timid. Prices for stamps can vary into the thousands of dollars just for an unused stamp. I have spent a considerable amount of time studying the market for these stamps and I have only touched the surface.

Of course you have many players in this segment too. First there are the investors looking to scoop up the most pristine of these stamps. Then there are stamp collectors looking for a lightly lower quality but still paying top dollars for these stamps. Then there are people like me willing to accept minor flaws that drastically reduce the cost of the same stamp. We can all end up with a mint stamp that on the surface looks pretty much the same but with a very wild price scale.

Understanding this market along with understanding the grading and valuation is a challenge when you're just trying to fill spaces. Depending on the type of flaw you are willing to accept I have found that many stamps are now inside my budget.

Some of the better bargains are stamps that are well-centered, sharp colors and gum that is not perfect. The price difference can be astounding and when you have it in a mount what you can't see will not bother you.

Most of the MNH US collectors that are members of our local stamp club, share the same views as you.

They collect based on what they can afford.

They seem to use the magic number of Scott Cat US # 500.

Any stamp, that is on their want - list, below SC 500,
they will settle for a lesser quality MNH, or even a used copy.

I don't have problems with less than perfect stamps. It all depends on what the imperfection is. I don't worry about gum, since I only collect used. I live in Georgia and the heat and humidity here is pretty bad. Too many unused stamps have had their gum ruined.

I just bought a number 63(SC) US for a really low price. It has a manuscript cancellation (very light) and a small crease at the bottom which does not show from the front.

With Ron, I also only collect used stamps , so I also do not care about the gum. I like manuscript cancels, so I may actually pay more there, because they interest me. hinge remnants are not a big concern unless it has cause a noticeable thin spot on the stamp. so by being patient (some times) and watching as many auction sites as I can I have been able to fill some holes at good prices

That how I view collecting as well Rlorenz. if the front of the stamp is undamaged I will use it .

Dianne

Sounds like most of us agree...we collect for pleasure not investment..when the man comes to buy our stamps someday..he aint going to care...Enjoy them !!

What exactly is SC500?

"They seem to use the magic number of Scott Cat US # 500.

Any stamp, that is on their want - list, below SC 500,"

I agree with you Mkfarm. Being on a limited stamp budget, I buy the best stamps I can for the money I have to spend.

Hi folks.....

We all collect what we choose; what we each deem affordable; what we consider acceptable; and we all enjoy it equally at any level.

Just one of the many great aspects of the hobby.



kropewnicki......#500 is one of the many Washington/Franklin 2cent reds (1917).....$280.00 mint...$240.00 used.

Well the sc500 sure would be nice. But here is an example of what I was able to pick up at a little stamp store outside of Wexford, Pa.

Now it is by no means a budget breaking stamp even if I found one graded to the SC cat # 264 which would be $6.50 (2006 edition). It is list by Mystic at a current price of $8.50 and even Kenmore has it at $8.00. Now if you browse through Stampwants you will find it as high as $59 and as low as $1.00 under the store selections.

The one I bought looks pretty darn nice inside a mount and of course that great Mystic Album. I will let you judge the centering but when the perfs don't hug the design I'm pretty happy with them on this style of stamp. I paid 30 cents for Mint stamp with original gum. It has some minor faults and a heavy hinge mark on the back.

But like I said in a mount it looks a lot better and for 30 cents I have a lot more in my budget for more stamps.


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Of course there is nothing wrong with used stamps even to a MNH collector.

I picked these up at the same store in what I call the cheap bin. I didn't think it was such a bad deal for a buck.



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MK

I agree nice buy for a buck. I need some cheap bins like that !