Definition Of Hi-Value Stamp?

Has the hobby defined what a hi-value stamp is? I'm talking about the denomination of a stamp. Is any stamp with a denomination greater than the price of mailing a first class letter in country, in effect at the time the stamp is issued, considered a hi-value stamp? So, in the USA is a stamp with a denomination greater than .49 considered a hi-value stamp?

Thanks,
Mike

In short, no.

Stallzer, on the surface I agree with what you are saying, but I don't have a hard, fast definition I could put on it. Do you have a definition you could throw out there?

In short, my own opinion of course, a high value stamp would be over a dollar in US, a pound in Great Britain, and so on.
For US, I think any stamp with a dollar sign is high!

I always took the high value stamps to be those, in sets or single issues, issued in whole currency units; £1, £E1, $1 and over, for instance.

Terry
PS. Beat me to it, Guy.

Since I started collecting (many years ago), and to this day, I consider US stamps with denomination of $1 or more to be "high denomination" stamps. Of course, it's my opinion, as I have not seen a clear definition.

Unfortunately, in a few years (hopefully not!), first class envelopes may require $1 or more postage - so, stamps issued then will not be (again, IMHO) considered high denomination.

At that point orstampman, all new postage will be high value. LOL We'll have to refer to anything under a buck as pre-value or something. As in it no longer has any.

I've always used the $1 threshold as a definition of a "high value" stamp, too, however, I started collecting in the late 1960s/early 1970s when first class postage rates were in the single digits.

Back when first class stamps were 4 cents through 8 cents (i.e. the 1960s into the 1970s), a $1 stamp was more than 12x to 25x that of a typical first class stamp of the period, so based on those variances a $1 stamp was always considered a "high value" denomination and was seldom used except for parcels and registered, certified and/or special delivery/air mail services.

Today a $1 stamp is little more than 2x the value of a first class stamp. We also have numerous Priority and Express Mail services that dictate stamp denominations as high as $20 a stamp, so today one could almost change the definition of a "high value" stamp to denominations above $5.

If one were to study catalog values of US stamps, those typically denominated at $1 or $2 carry little premium; it is when you're looking at denominations of $5 and higher when the catalog values tend to increase significantly (even for used examples).

I guess it comes down to what generation you grew up with in determining your personal definition of a "high value" denomination stamp.

Nah. When referring to older stamps such as the 1938 prexies, the $1, $2, and $5 will always be thought of as high value.

For what it is worth, $1 was about the cutoff point I had in mind for a definition.

Don't laugh but I always thought high value meant those stamps in your album that were out of reach for most collectors and we all know what those stamps are and it is not the face value I am talking about it is what range they typically sell for and of which there are many that will never be filled in my album since they are way to costly even when used.

"High values" depends very much on when a stamp or set was issued. Also what the high value of a set was. And how old you were at the time. As a boy the high value Columbians (really any 19th century) was anything from the 15 cent up, but as an adult it's the dollar values. I suppose whether it is 15 or 30 cents for the rest of the 19th century depends on personal preference.

My definition is the high value of the particular set or the 3 or 4 highest of that particular year. 1st class domestic letter rate is not high value stamps.

I'm wondering if there are two different discussions going on here. The original question was for "Hi-Value" stamps. The discussion has been about "high denomination" stamps. I would propose that face-value is related to denomination and that "Hi-Value" is more related to catalog/retail value. When I saw the discussion title, I was expecting posts related to catalog value. There is no relationship between denomination and value. High denomination stamps can have little catalog value and vice versa. The British Guiana Magenta is certainly a low denomination stamp but has the highest value of any stamp.

As a stamp describer with limited space on ebay my definition in this area has changed.

High Value is the term I use for stamps that is above the standard letter rate stamps + standard letter rate sets of relevant time and era.

Standard letter rate stamps are not a high denomination but is also being described as not a high value as well.

High Value is a twist of words in stamping and can mean an expensive stamp or a stamp that is not a standard letter rate issue.

I think the original poster is very clear in that the question refers to face value of a stamp, not catalog value.

Yes I agree stallzer!