Collecting Modern Low Denomination Stamps (That Is Since About 2000) - Plate No. Positions

I wonder if my goal is a tad quixotic but I have gotten it in my head to try and collect some low denomination stamps in panes of 20 by plate number and get all positions. I limit it to SOME but it is an easy rabbit hole to fall into - at least in my experience.

So far I have gotten from post offices all plate positions of some of the easier stamps - 2 cent Navajo S1 plate positions for panes of 20, 3 cent Silver Teapot P1 plate position for panes of 20 and coming close to completing the 10 cent Pear plate positions and 4 cent Blueberries.

Tough ones to get from post offices are V1 and S1 plate positions of 2 cent Navajo panes of 20.

Note, I also get coils but it helps I have a contact that gets these and keeps abreast of new plate numbers.

Anyone else attempting such goals and if so with what low denomination stamp (10 cents or lower)?

I'm surprised some of these are still in post offices.
[edited to note, in reference to the American Design series, 2c & 3c you mention.]

keep in mind that many folks, including non collectors, are offering these panes on ebay all the time without regard to plate position. (Just be careful of dealer types who note they only post a stock image, ask first if they have a certain plate position example you can "buy now" or however they offer.)

I do not collect the plate positions which I think is the last frontier from a mint set collecting perspective. But I do collect one level below, panes of every production variety. That is tough enough as some are not even listed in the popular catalogs.

I agree that trying to get every plate of a pane of 20 of the low denomination stamps can be VERY tough. As I wrote getting S1 of the 2 cent Navajos is tough - I have gotten one or two over the past two years. Plates of P1 and S1 of the 1 cent Tiffanys are rarely found in my area - I have 2 S1 panes with two different positions and only 1 P1.

You can get them from stamp sellers but you pay a premium - I recall about $1.50 for the 2 cents panes of 20 from Bardo stamps. And yes you could ask around at ebay but then the older plates risk coming in not so great condition.

And yes I was able until about early 2021 I got even the 5 cent Towleware American Design stamp until the USPS discontinued it and had it taken off stock at all post offices.

I am stepping up on my quest for the 1 cent and 2 cent plate positions (for V1 of the 2 cent and S2 for Tiffany 1 cent) as I think with a whole new set of designs planned for low denomination stamps in 2024 (1, 3,5 and 10 cents, note no 4 cent one). they may start to phase some of the American Design ones - they already have in the past few years with the 4 cent Chippendale (although there are ample supplies on the secondary market).

I do have a bunch of 1, 2 and 3 cent American Design. If you have some of the plate positions for the plate numbers I seek maybe we can do an exchange. Send me an email through this site if interested or let me know how best to reach you.

Good to hear that someone else shares a similar collecting focus. It is very fascinating comparing differences in the plates - the more dramatic case is the V1 2 cent navajo plate compared to the other ones.

Also look around for stamp shows in your area. Many dealers have a box or two of face value stamps and sheets hanging around.

drkohler - thanks!