Scott #2 - A Noobie Question

I've inherited my grandmothers stamp collection. From the looks of it, it's Scott's numbers 1011+. At first glance, nothing superb as far as "OH MY GOSH IT'S THE BILLION DOLLAR STAMP" but hey, it's high in the sentimental value. I've been reading a bit on stamps and collection and naturally, valuation. Here's where I'm a bit confused...

Within a few minutes, I can get on the internet and buy a used Scott #2, from 1847, for only $650. While I appreciate the unused value at $4k, I would think any stamp (used or not - but in good condition) from such an early age would be worth far more. Then when I look at some of the stuff I've got, such as a 1027 plate block, it's only $2. I was expecting $20-$40. However, I was once into baseball cards so you see my point of collecting knowledge.

Maybe it's a matter of quantity produced but in both those cases, the low values were a bit surprising.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

stamps are easy to buy...hard to sell..dealers pay 10 to 15 percent for stamp collections...

In this case, I'm not selling any of the collection. It is the pricing on some of the stuff that has me very curious. From what I've been reading, it's more about the want of a stamp and less about the rarity.

There are many factors involved in the value of a stamp, as I am sure you have begun reading about. Such factors are: quantity produced, centering of the stamp within margins, type or format of stamp, perforations, watermarks, errors, known surviving examples, etc.

Phil is right about being easy to buy. Also, it is only worth what you or someone else is willing to pay.

I collect for the sake of collecting: enjoyment, relaxation, and the thrill of the finding something new to me.

Hello Joe......

.....and welcome to the club.

Catalog values are generally what you could expect to pay if you went to a dealer (stamp store) and asked him to find something specific for you. For collectors it creates a starting point. Most stamps can be found for much less than any cat val. The determining factors are based on the overall condition, margins, perf issues, thins, heavy or light cancel and more. Collectors can buy or sell with each other at reduced prices because they don't have the overhead costs.

There is no set percentage of cat val that can be considered accurate. Each stamp is evaluated on it's own. Also, all valuations are subject to interpretation.

Another thing that has impacted values is that from about the 1930's through about the 1960's some dealers convinced many collectors that stamps could only increase in value. As we know, this is not true, but enough collectors were convinced so that there were many that hoarded many sheets of just about everything issued. The effect has been that now the market is flooded with all those stamps so that many values are drastically reduced. All you need to do to prove this is to look at cat vals for the 1930' through the 1960's.....most plate blocks of four are valued less than the value of four single stamps......simple supply & demand.


There are of course, exceptions to the rules......these are the ones we all hunt for, and each collector has their own ideas about which stamps are the exceptions....or might be in the future.


Enjoy the hunt....

The problem with looking for that billion dollar stamp is that there are millions of most every US stamp. Only the few rare low production or low known examples are worth the high end prices.

But what the heck all the stamps have some value and that is pretty cool even if is just a few cents.

Thanks to everyone! The info about the 1930's-1960's is really helpful. When I used to collect sports cards I recall when suddenly everyone bought cards and placed them in the plastic sleeves. No more rubber bands around the pack of cards. Cards no longer held their long term value.