1879 2c Stamp Damage

Does a stamp lose value when it looks like this on the edges. And what would be the scott# on this? Thank You. Also,how can you tell the paper it uses. Is it Soft?

Well, it looks as is if it was trimmed off the cover rather sloppily and as a result caused damage to the corner perforations and cut into the stamp so, yes damages = less value.

IMO any stamp after 1940 damaged is trash. Unless you just want to use it as a filler. That is until you can find one not damaged. Before 1940 because of age and value. I would keep it even if you find one not damaged. Although all stamps lose value if they are damaged. The older it is the less value it loses. 1940 is just a year I thru out. Probably a better year might be 1930. By the way welcome to SCF.

To answer the specific question about the stamp shown, computer monitors can result in different appearances of the stamp as compared to seeing it in person. The stamp is either a J2 (issued in 1879) in the color "brown" or a J16 (issued in 1884) in the color "red brown".

Based on what I see on my computer monitor, I'm inclined to suggest that it is a J16 because of the red brown appearance of the stamp.

It looks like Scott J2, the 1879 2 cent postage due. If it is the trimmed off perforations on the top and bottom are definitely significant damage to most collectors. Another possible problem is that it looks a bit faded. This issue is normally seen as a slightly richer brown color.

Here is an example of one in what appears to be much nicer condition - it recently sold on ebay for 99 cents.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Stamp-J2...em2ed7430154