Rarity Of Diagnostic Print And Test Vend Cvp

I recently came across a few sheets of diagnostic print holiday stamps. I have also previously gotten some Test Vend or Void stamps from the machines as well.

I was wondering if these types of stamps have any significant value to a collector in particular the full sheets of diagnostic print stamps. These also happen to be holiday stamps so I tend to think that maybe they won't be reissued in the exact style later which could drive up some desirability. Thanks in advance for your advice.

-Steve

I just realized that a picture is worth 1,000 words and would probably make this post more interesting.

Hi Steven,
Interesting.
I am not a specialist in CVP but I do have an engineering background in kiosk development. It is common to add diagnostic routines to the kiosk and its peripherals (scanners, coin mech, card readers, printers, etc.). The diagnostic routines are usually embedded in the firmware and accessed through a 'secret' set of inputs. This usually is some unique set of keystrokes or button push combinations. For example, holding down three of the buttons all at once.

The 'secret' usually is not well kept and can often be discovered by playing around with the device. (I have been able to 'break into' the diagnosis mode all kinds of various device by simple playing with them.) It is certainly known by the techs who work on them. The diagnostic routine is often run anytime a tech works on the kiosk; it is a way to test the kiosk without changing the accounting totals on the machine.

So my opinion is that they are not common. But they would be available 'on demand' to anyone who knows how to put the kiosk into diagnosis mode for testing purposes. They might bring some interest with CVP collectors but I am doubtful that anyone would pay too much for them (since they could be generated at any time by some in the know).
Don
APS #094826

No doubt, they are printable on demand to those with access to the diagnostic settings on the machine. My thought is that a normal person cannot print these on demand, and the post office would not print these on demand for a customer/collector either.

That provides some level of scarcity, because I suppose you would either have to be the service technician, his friend, or a lucky stamp collector who encounters these. Most of the public who sees these would probably dismiss them as having no value since they are not able to be used for mailing purposes.

I have looked online for other examples of diagnostic prints and I don't see many examples, let alone a full sheet, or this particular holiday wreath set. I know that doesn't mean that these are super rafe, or even highly desirable. Since I think that this series of stamps is only used for a limited time by USPS, maybe after they stop using it the value might increase since even if a technician could print more on demand, they could no longer do it to this series afterward.

Who knows, it was an exciting find to say the least :-)

They are very interesting. From a collecting standpoint, I think they would be analogous to the 'test' stamps or perhaps be consider by some to similar to 'printers waste'. They would not be considered a stamp error.

The supply-side of valuing them is unknown. As you mention, if a market were to develop for these the concern becomes people 'manufacturing' these for sale. Right now you might have the only set, but if you were able to sell them for big bucks then suddenly there might be hundreds of them showing up for sale.

The demand side is also unknown. If they get published in a catalog the demand would go up some, but US 'test' and CVP stamps are not a hot area of collecting right now.

Perhaps others will weigh in with their opinions but thank you for posting them, they are indeed interesting.
Don

The CVPT listings are incomplete.

It is my understanding that the ones with "Test Vend" are produced by USPS personnel, while the ones with "Diagnostic" are prodced by people from the maker of the machines.

I seriously doubt anyone has bothered to hack a machine to produce either of these.

What you need is USA Variable Denomination Stamps (1989-2015) 2nd edition by Karim Roder.

The Meter Stamp Society has copies on sale for $70. From what I have heard it is extremely comprehensive. I dabble in them but am not a dedicated collector.

http://www.meterstampsociety.com/

That is excellent. I too have found a few sets of Test Vend CVP100. Those seem to be much more common by comparison, but definitely not an everyday find :-)

Here's a couple more test items for your enjoyment.

These are all Scott CVP93.

The first is a blank sheet.





Next is diagnostic print on an entire sheet.




Next is this horizontal pair with a different test print overprint.




Finally, there is this block of four with two different overprints.

Hi Steven,
I just joined today after seeing your images online while I was putting my computer vended test labels in my album. I have the VOID versions of the Christmas wreath and Charlie Brown so your Diagnostic versions caught my eye. I'm more of a specialist when it comes to collecting stamps and tend to search out major & minor varieties of stamps whether it's my US stamps or back of the book stuff. I agree the 2017 Specialized catalog is a bit incomplete when it comes to "CVPT" stamps since I have several in stock pages waiting to see if a Scott number gets assigned to them before I mount them in my album.
As far as the market for these I've seen blank sheets listed for a lot of money online only to see them sell for $1 or less weeks later after the few people interested in them battle it out in a bidding war.
I purchased several blank sheets from a guy online who later on said he got them when he use to work at a post office and had a friend still working there that might be able to get more recent issues. So as far as scarcity goes who knows how many people are bringing home blank sheets or creating TEST or Diagnostic ones as stated by Don (51studebaker) which I was unaware of how the different varieties were produced, Thanks Don!.
I think it's part of the fun of collecting finding new varieties if your into that like I am. So if you come across any more please let me know or if you would like to part with or trade for some you have that would be great too!
Frank

linkcod!

Thanks Stampman2002, I think the last sentence of my post should have been directed to you as well as far as acquiring some of the examples you posted. I thought they were pictures from Steven since your signature pic was the same 24c Washington and I didn't pay attention to the name. Maybe I should change my signature to be a unique picture to avoid confusion.
Frank

That is one reason we have that option. To change your avatar, you'll need to post a request in the Stamp Community support forum. Please be patient as only one person does this. Here is the forum link;

https://goscf.com/f/13

If any of you newer posters are interested in trading, buying or selling you have to have 50 quality posts before you will be able to contact other members of this community.

to all you newer members!