US Coast Guard Eagle 14c, Postcard Used?

This postcard definitely looks used, but maybe someone just put an address on it? How do I know it actually went through the post?

It being used makes a difference in catalog value, or is it so damaged it will be kiloware anyways?

Front, tear bottom middle and crease:


Back, crease is more easily seen:

No message on it. Someone probably prepared it for mailing and either forgot about the whole thing or did not need to send it any longer

Peter

Next question is how then is the value if you mailed it today. I have both used and unused.

I don't understand the question. If you mailed it today, it would need additional postage. And then you wouldn't have it any more, so why would the value of it matter?

In any case, used or unused the value is minimal. I think I have some FDC's of this postcard that I created combo's of with the 2014 Coast Guard stamp. I probably didn't pay more than a dollar or two for the FDC's, and if they are worth another dollar with the new stamp and FDOI cancellation I'd be happy.

Basil

If I mailed it to myself, or even a friend, posting it at the Post Office, I would still have the card. Now the card which according to one book valued at 50 cents NEW, is now USED and the same book values the used one at $35.00. I would say a value in crease of $34.50 would be motivation to pay the additional postage.

How is a new one worth more than a used one, if I can post the new one and make it a used one? That is the question.

No. The use has to be within the rate period of its issuance for premium value.

Well, John is right that to have value used on cover it has to be posted and cancelled during the relevant rate period. I didn't assume you'd mail it to yourself because it is already addressed. I didn't say it, but I assumed it would end up as a dead letter more likely than not if posted to the address that is on it.

In any case, if you could do what you had in mind, why wouldn't you do it to an unused copy in better shape? Do you see the problem? Everybody else would take the unused copies and mail them to themselves, flooding the market and driving down the value.

This postal card was for international use and is tough to find. Catalogues $40 used during proper rate period.

Just a reminder that used during the proper rate period includes used properly so that means an international card carried in the international mails to another country.

When looking at modern postal stationery, including cards, the used price is often a tough find. Some of the others have indicated some of the problems with this particular issue. Other, more recent cards, while not as pricey, are just plain hard to find used in-period.