Wns Numbers And Scott Numbers...

Is there a way to find the Scott No. of a stamp when you only have the WNS number?


-IBFS

OK...you got me.
What is a WNS number??

Created by the Universal Postal Union in 2002:




Checkout this link for more information:

http://www.wnsstamps.ch/en/wnsnumber

In reading the UPU site, it seems that only stamps issued since 2002 are being assigned a WNS number. They are not retroactively assigning them. This is partly understandable as (a) the task would be large for all UPU members and (b) the WNS designation only assigns 2-digits for the year.

The 2-digit year means that a stamp issues in 1908 would have the same number as one issued in 2008 or even 2108 - for our great-great-grand-children. Perhaps they do not see stamps being issued in 90 years time!

How could they forget the Y2K issue only two years prior, which had developed because of the use of 2-digit tear codes?

Donald

Ok, if you can get an image of the stamp using the WNS number, just pump it into Google Image Search. One of the links that pops up will have a Scott Catalog number.

I tried that. No go.


-IBFS

Why not simply ask here (or any other stamp forum)? With year/date of issue known, locating the item from catalogs should be a breeze.

OK. I'm trying to help another member. 2 January, 2012 was the issue date. Anybody got a WW Scott Cat. Number for this God forsaken thing..? It also is part of a sheet of 6.



I just cannot find it. I've looked everywhere but outer space.



-IBFS

seeing it is dated 2012, most probably not in any catalog yet and unless the issuing country pays the WNS for the privilege of adding it, then it will remain in limbo until the fee is paid,

Pagoda

Scott #465 is assigned to the Souvenir Sheet of 6 for the stamp issue. Not sure what the individual stamp shown would be identified as (probably a letter suffix, such as #465e).

For reference, I found the information toward the bottom of this pricelist:

http://www.worldstamps.com/pricelis...p?country=88

Also confirmed here at this BidStart auction for the item:

http://stampwants-stamps.bidstart.c...39516/a.html

Got it.

...Thanks!. But for knowledge purposes, I'd still like to find the answer to the original question, if there is one. I mean, don't you all have this addictive burning desire to know?....





-IBFS

As someone mentioned further up, the WNS includes the last 2 numbers of the year of issue. Your stamp was TF012.12. This indicates that it was stamp number 12, issued in 2012 (the .12 indicates the year). It would not be too hard to check Scott if you know the year of issue, unless it was part of some long-running set.

Sometimes I get one track minded. Sorry. I don't have Scott WW catalogs. I collect only US. I was wondering if there was a direct way. Now, If I had a US stamp with a WNS No., yes I could resolve the problem that way.

They have through history come up with ways to confuse counterfeiters before, and now so much time later, we laugh at the folly of the methods. I don't see how it could ever be successfully done. So this "WADP" doesn't embarrass themselves, I wish them my best.


-IBFS

No one uses WNS numbers and I am unaware of any WNS to Scott cross reference list.

I wouldn't say "no one" uses the WNS numbers -- as the UPU apparently does for one.

I believe the theory behind the UPU establishment of WNS numbers was NOT to compete with Scott (or any other catalog) numbering system, but to identify all new worldwide stamp issues (from 2002 forward) as a means to separate them from bogus/fake stamps that often get put on the market. Only those UPU member countries having stamp issues that may be officially recognized for postal use in their respective countries will be assigned a WNS number.