Great Value In Old US Stamps

Ok I am a newbie and have a lot to learn about stamps in general, but I have noticed that there seems to be much lower prices for the older mint U.S. stamps compared to mint Canadian stamps. I will give you a prime example. Today I purchased a plate strip of 1895 Scott #267 stamps for a whopping $10.50 U.S. inc. shipping. Now I have not seen any mint 1895 Canadian stamps anywhere near this price, they are always in the hundreds of dollars. I have quickly converted my interests to the older U.S. varieties because of this as I am not a rich man and it appears that I can get much better condition rarities for a fraction of the price. Seems like a much better investment and provdes more thrill for the buck. I just can not believe that I can buy into history at such a good price. Have a look at my most recent purchase of which I am anxiously anticipating delivery.

You are making a generalization about a strip that happens to be common. Just for example, if you tried to buy a 265 or 266 strip it would have cost you far more.

Even though it is a more common strip, I love picking up 19th century strips and blocks without breaking the bank. Yours has nice centering, I would give it a vf overall.

My 2012 Durland gives this strip a value of $20.00 (vf, nh). My impression is that Durland values are closer to the actual value than most catalogues. I've seen old blocks and strips often sell (not just list) over Durland.

Thanks for the info guys, like I said I have a lot to learn and I have just learned something. I hope there is something like a dot in the C of Cents when I get a closer look.

Rich

Ok here is another example of what I think,with my novice knowledge, is a really great value. I have this scott #230 1893 Columbian issue plate proof card in the mail, and again anticipating arrival which I picked up for $20.50. Good deal?

COINWATCHER....If you are happy....good deal.
cv about $25.

Thanks for the info, I think this is a real piece of art and really like it. So the stamps are worth more than the plate proof cards?

19th century mint stamps (and often used as well) are usually worth more than card proofs. Twentieth century proofs are quite scarce, the BEP did not issue them in the profusion that the private companies did.

I can't help with proofs, but can add that you can look on ebay to see what specific stamps have sold for recently. There's also a website called theswedishtiger that lists ebay stamp prices over several years.

The Columbians are very beautiful stamps.

With that stamp it's about the same sc value. And I agree with Kevin in that anytime I'm happy with a purchase I feel it's a good deal.
Unless you're buying strictly to re-sell. Then.....well that's different. Paying 80% cv with stains and rounded corners.....not such a good deal.

I finally got these stamps in the mail. The top stamp has a small tear on the top corner and the bottom has a tiny scuff mark. The best one is in the middle and I am not sure if it is a Scott 267 or 279Bc. The left ornament and ear dots look like the 279Bc but the hairline and T in TWO are a tough call. The double line UPS watermark is very clear on the selvage. 267 or 279Bc?

Based on the 2012 Durland, plate 143 is Scott 267 type III imprint II.

Another way to find out how great a deal you made is to try and sell the stamp just for fun and let us know the offers. An eye opener.

Thanks very much for letting me know which Scott number it is raymod. Redwoodrandy you lost me with your comment. I think it is a great stamp even if I paid to much. It all evens out in the end anyway.

Any time. The Durland Standard Plate Number Catalog is a great resource for US plate strips or blocks. Even miscut coils or booklet panes that have partial plate numbers. Also has great color pictures of the old imprints.

if your unhappy with it I guess I could find room for it here...lol

If your really going to do this then at least try to get the stamps that you need in the best condition possible that you can for as close to 10% of the Scott catalog value as possible.