Are 2 Cent Washington Red Stamps So Valuable?

Hello again, I just have a little question regarding a stamp I have seen on ebay.

Below I have linked to a 2 cent red washington stamp on ebay, the stamp is in used condition, and the seller is asking for 50 bucks.

Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/579-2-cent-...em5d299a1344

Is $59.99 plus $2 postage a fair price for that stamp?

The reason I ask, is because I am very new to stamp collecting, and I use ebay as one of my ways of finding what a stamp is worth, and I am wondering if I have had a stroke of luck, as I have recently found some stamps just like that in a mixed lot that I purchased cheap.

Below is a scan of some of the ones I have, the lot I ordered had a glassine envelope containing 100 such stamps.



I notice that my ones are not so dark, but the design looks the same as far as I can tell.

Is that ebay stamp really worth 50 bucks?

Are the stamps that I have the same ones?

What are my 100 red 2 cent washington stamps worth?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Not all of them. In fact most of these are of minimal catalog value however the #579 is a perf 11x10 Rotary press copy and valued at $140.00 used.

As stated by I_L_S, the ebay link provided above is for an exceptionally scarce variety of the 2-cent Washington Stamp in perf. 11x10. In fact, the Scott catalog value is shown in italics, suggesting that it is of such scarcity that it should be accompanied by an expertising certificate to validate its authenticity.

As a practical matter, the Scott Catalog value of that stamp hasn't changed a bit in the last dozen or so years, so there's no reason to jump on the first example you find, especially since there is no certificate provided.

Very useful information, thanks all. I thought it was too good to be true that I would find 5000 bucks worth of rare stamps on my 2nd ever purchase.

Any idea what the stamps I have a worth? 100 regular 2 cent red washinton stamps. half a buck a piece? more? less? Thanks!

my guess: much less.

I would say much MUCH less. My guess is +/- 5¢-10¢ used (That's being VERY generous) and 25¢-$1.00 if in mint state no hing or gum disturbance.

Thanks everyone!

It seems I have more to learn than I thought, to my eye the stamps I had seemed identical, if not even better as some of the cancels on mine are hardly visible. The only difference I noticed was the shade of red, but I thought it could be down to scanner brand or file format, I never thought perforation could be so important. So far, from the basics I have read, I was under the assumption that perforation just had some small role. I still don't really understand it.

Do any of you know any books for beginners I could read that would help me out? So far I just have a loose idea of things. you guys would probably all slap me if you could see how I think about stamps some times.

If you have access, or own a Scott or Stanley Gibbons catalog, the front pages of the catalog give a lot of basic information on stamps. Your library may have one if you do not. Also, you could go to Amazon and see if they have any basic guides to stamp collecting ( I am thinking that they do).

Or just Google guide to stamp collecting and see what is on line.

I don't want to scare off newcomers - but even though stamp collecting is a 'trivial persuit' - there is some truth to the 10000 hour thesis:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outliers_(book)

@rohumpy Thanks, I just got done watching an hour long video, and a guide to perforations, I will have to invest in some books I think.

Scott catalog or Stanley Gibbons catalog would do you fine. rohumpy nailed it and not sure much more could be added except try not to pick them up with your hands if you can avoid it, instead use stamp tongs.

I have been using the 2c reds as regular postage lately... I have so many of them..

@stampvirgin Now if only I can convince everyone else to use 2c reds for postage, mine will be worth a fortune hehe.

I just gave away about 250 used reds #554 and 250 Greens #552? I didn't want to spend 20 hours trying to sort through them.

One could very easily apply the 10000 hour rule to the 2c, but admittedly I am amazed at the study of subtle differences this "one stamp" is characterized by. I'd recon its a great deal like looking for 1943 bronze 1c in a haystack of pennies.

if ANYONE feels compelled to get rid of a pile of these in the future PLEASE contact me! This is one of my loves in this hobby isflyspecking this kind of thing. I cant tell you how many times I found stuff I need or actual good stuff I come upon in those "I'll get around to it" piles I buy. Also ill give you money for them and pay postage so you make out on the deal too. So please please keep me in mind if you have a puke to go. I love the Washington/Franklin 2c reds and the america series desigb of them.