A29 24c Washington

I'm not really into stamps but I do have a few like this one. I don't know how to identify them. I can't distinguish papers, colors, marks, etc. This one could be worth(catalog) hundreds or tens of thousands. I'd really like to know. Any suggestions?

I'm not completely familiar with using the Scott catalogue, and not really up on US stamps; but, the 2008 Scott appears to list it as the 1861-62 A29 #70.

Depending on colour, here are the used prices:
70b steel blue $900
70c violet, thin paper $2000
70d pale grey, vio, thin paper $2500

Of course, short perfs and other factors reduce the value.

Even so, if I read it right, you have some tasty treats there.

It could also be a #78, #99 or #109 depending on it's color, whether or not it has a grill, and the type of paper it was printed on.

How can exact color be determined with the stamp as faded as it is. That's what I mean, I just can't see the differences. So this really could be worth some bucks, even imperfect?

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Ellasguy,




I'll defer to others on answering your question regarding determination of color.

As to catalog value, the stamp appears to fall into the Very Good (Average) or below criteria according to its centering. But then there are the apparent faults (e.g., faded, numerous perf issues, possible vertical crease left of center) which must also be taken into consideration.

Scott's 2010 Stamp Values for U.S. Specialized By Grade shows a range of values for a used VG stamp as follows:

• #70 - $75
• #70d - $550
• #78 - $90
• #78c - $4,750
• #99 - $450
• #109 - $6,250

(I didn't include the values of the other #70 and #78 variants because they fall within the ranges shown for their respective number.)

I guess the best answer to your question is that you may wish to submit the stamp to an expertizing service such as that offered by the APS or the PSE.

If your stamp is on the low end of the price spectrum you'll get off fairly cheaply. If on the other hand, you have a #78c or #109, you'll likely be charged somewhere between 3% and 6% of Scott catalog value, regardless of condition.

stampvirgin, just because I'm selling some items accumulated over many years doesn't mean I know a lot about stamps. I don't appreciate your attempt at humor at my expense. Why don't you keep your comments to yourself!!

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I'm pretty naive when it comes to really old rare classics. I have a handful of 19th century stamps, but certainly nothing that I would think "worth(catalog) hundreds or tens of thousands." Is a stamp that looks so beat up like this that it is maybe even not possible to identify it really likely to fetch that kind of moola? Seems doubtful to me, but I'm no expert. (People collect all sorts of things, eh?)

well if you part with one cheap enough, I could use it in my collection.

Hmm... I might follow some online auctions to see what these things sell for in the open market. It just surprises me a little to hear that a stamp like this one could be worth tens or hundreds of thousands... Then again, I don't what the most I have spent on a single stamp is off the top of my head, but it was under $100.

Oh it's possible!!

Those early US classics.......

A slight perf change or watermark and you're in the tens of lots of money!!