Cvp Variable Rate Coils

On Aug 20, 1992 the USPS began an experiment with Computer Vended Postage (CVP) using what they called Variable Rate Coils. These are coil stamps printed without a value. The value, or denomination, was printed on the stamp at the time of purchase. Anywhere from 1c to $99.99 could be purchased from a dispensing machine called a Postage and Mailing Center. In 1993, the minimum denomination was set at 19c. Mint stamps are occasionally seen but used ones are scarce and covers or postcards even scarcer. I have many MNH from 1c to $13.65 in PNCs, dry and shiny gum, raised and lowered decimal points, horizontal and verticle coils and even a few pairs with two different denominations. Most of my used ones are shown. If anyone is interested in seeing my covers and postcards, let me know. Does anyone else have any of these?

We have ATM's here in Israel and have had them for many years. There are different types and are a popular collecting area....there are even websites and books about them.
A similar system has just been introduced in the UK using the Machin Head in the design. They have become quite popular too in the few short months since introduction.
I have seen those you show from the USA but do not have any in my collection. Is there a catalogue value for them ? Are they listed ?
I am curious only because they have Flags on them !

Londonbus1

quigngt.....


You mention that you have many PNC's but the ones you've shown do not have plate numbers......even so, I'd be interested in seeing your postcards & covers.

I don't have any used PNCs. All of my mint PNC strips of 5 stamps are in the US at my father's house. One of the disadvantages of living in a country other than that of ones birth is that I don't have all of my collection in one place. I'll dig up the covers and post them.

To answer Londonbus, the machines used for these variable rate coils were not exactly the same as an ATM. You could buy stamps in any denomination available that you wished and many dealers did just. However, the machines also had scales on which a person could place a package. The machine would then automatically print the denomination required on the stamp to be applied to the package. These machines were not widely available. I am guessing that there were less than 20 in the entire USA. On one of my visits to my father's house in Pennsylvania in 1994, I made a 2 hour trip to one of the 2 machines available in the Philadelphia area. All of the machines were removed from service after the experiment which only lasted about 4 years but I'm also guessing this time frame. I think the stamps are listed in Scott's Specialized catalog. If you buy on ebay, Go to United States stamps and type "CVP" or "Computer Vended Postage" or "Variable Rate Coil" in the search window. There used to be one or two dealers who had them in their "Store" as a Buy it Now. They did not always have them listed in auction format.

I've said it before but it's still true. I learn something new on the SCF just about every day. I didn't know these existed.

Thanks for sharing your CVPs, quigngt!

Here are some tidbits...

Interestingly, the prices for CVP variable rate coils have been going up steadily recently in the wholesale market, after many years of stagnation.

While there are many CVPs, the ones shown by quigngt are the only two designs dispensed by the ECA GARD machines. They were only available at the 5-6 test sites and from PFSC (in first-class denomination only).

The machines didn't last long because of abuse by collectors/dealers. It was not a time in which philatelists showed their best face. Buyers would deliberately tug on the stamps while the machine was printing, trying to get printing varieties/freaks, or do "other things" to try to get a few stamps with missing denominations. The machines were often broken (through mischief by philatelists, not kids). Do not be taken in by some of the high prices for printing freaks and missing denominations. Trust me, there is a good stockpile laying around in a few hands, at the non-trivial cost to USPS (and users of US mail) of constantly repairing the machines.

The used stamps (especially on cover), are actually harder to find. They have a low price in Scott because of low demand.

Regarding the plate number (scanner broken, sorry, can only describe). The wide stamp has the plate number 1 sideways at the left side. The tall stamp has the plate number A11 at the bottom. These were printed with the original stamp design, not the denomination. By jacking with the machine at the right time, it is possible to get a PNC with no denomination, since the plate number is pre-printed.

After buyers figured out the PNC spacing, they would deliberately buy 1c stamps until they got within 3 stamps of the plate number, and then buy a PNC5 of the actual denomination they wanted. Eventually USPS figured it out and rigged the machines so that the minimum denomination was 19c (post card rate at that time).

Don't have any, but interested to see them.

Since they came in any denomination, it would be quite a feat to get all 10,000 of them.

KirkS

Here are 2 covers. Yes, I mailed them myself but the envelopes contained real mail, not just empty envelopes to have used covers. I also have two postcards with the CVP1 stamps, but they too, may be in the US. If I do find them in the next few days I'll post them.

I reread my first post and noticed that I made a few typos and a comment that was unintentionally misleading.

I haven't figured out how to include the quote box some of you post but here is my quote: "I have many MNH from 1c to $13.65 in PNCs, dry and shiny gum ..." Actually, I only have PNC5 strips inclusive from 1cent to about 23cents (horzontal perfs) and a PNC 29cent strip of 5 (vertical perfs). I do not have a $13.65 PNC, only a MNH non PNC single. Not shown in the photo of used stamps is a used $5.00 CVP1 (horizontal perfs).It was not shown because I don't know where it is at the moment.

And thanks khj for the heads up on the error stamps and how they came to be through the abuse of the machines. I never bought any because I thought they were ridiculously overpriced. Your post proves that they are overpriced.

Thanks for posting the covers, quigngt! I don't get to see very many of those!

The manipulations of the machines by collectors/dealers was mentioned by Linn's Stamp News as part of their coverage of the testing of the ECA GARD machines.

I had purchased my PNC strip from PFSC, so it came in well-centered condition. I used up some of the excess from the strip as postage, so I made my contribution to the production of collectible covers! I remember being careful about when I used the stamp, because I was worried that some postal carrier was going to think it was some sort of trading stamp and kick the mail back to me!

k

Quigngt thanks for posting this thread I too never new they existed until now so thank you for the enlightenment.

I finally found one of my postcards. I had mailed it to a friend who lived near the Media post office just outside of Philadelphia. (I think it was the Media PO.) I asked her to stop by the PO and get me a few more stamps as listed on the card. I wanted to use them as postage. Unfortunately, the machine had been removed before she got there. I believe the red date was stamped by the office mail clerk where she worked on the day it was received.




Marty

Nice examples of modern postal history. This sort of stuff is difficult to find!

David

I receive a monthly mailing from The Washington Press. This month's letter had three 23-cent VRCs on the cover!

David

David, That's great! I'd love to see the cover. I still have a number of MNH VRCs and with my son about to start college, I might send him a few letters with VRCs to add to my collection.

Marty

Q:

Sorry... I cut the stamps off the cover. The strip of three was soaked off and will go into my *NEW* US album.

David