Stamps -> United States -> Possessions
If you’re a stamp collector or you want to start collecting stamps, there are many resources available to you to help you determine stamp value. Books, websites and organizations allow you to look up a stamp and determine the likely value of it based on the type of the stamp and its condition. How exactly a stamp’s value is determined might seem a vague process to you, but it’s actually a very detailed one.
Stamp value is determined by a variety of factors such as centering, gumming, the degree of cancellation, and the perforation condition.
How the stamp design is centered is the first marker of stamp value. There’s no system or scale for precisely grading how a stamp is centered, though, just a careful examination of the stamp lets you determine if the design is centered. Not surprisingly, this “eyeballing” approach leaves lots of room for some interpretation and argument. A professional who studies stamps, known as a philatelist, can judge the centering with a more practiced eyes.
If a glance tells you the design is off-center enough that the design is lost to the edge of the stamp and the perforation, the centering is considered to be poor. Average centering means that the design suffers from lack of space on one side or two, without the perforation cutting into the design. A fine to very fine center will have a more centered design, but with uneven borders ranging in degree. Superb centering is perfect, and much more valuable, while jumbo refers to stamps with over-sized margins, which generally carry the most stamp value.
Gumming also determines stamp value. The condition of the back of the stamp, whether the stamp has been hinged for collection, whether the gum is in its original condition or has been removed, all affect the price and can be a major factor in determining the value of early 19th century stamps.
The degree of cancellation is used to determine stamp value when the stamp is used and the gum is gone because of it. The cancellation or postage mark on the stamp either makes the stamp lightly canceled and more valuable, when the design still shows well, or heavily canceled, which means the design is obscured and rarely visible.
The condition of the perforation is also considered when determining stamp value. Some stamps aren’t perforated at all and need to be cut, while others are designed with a straight, cut edge. Perforations are judged by whether they show some design of the stamp next to it on a sheet, whether they’re shorter than normal, and whether or not the punch is good or bits of paper remain between the teeth of the perforation. The least valuable type is reperforated, where someone has trimmed and reperforated a stamp to give it a more uniform appearance.
Judge your stamp by these benchmarks and you’ll be better able to determine stamp value with a book, or when browsing for new stamps in stores or auctions.
Photo Credits: dbking
Originally posted 2008-10-11 05:00:16. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Condition Guide of Stamp Collectibles Condition The condition of stamp collectibles is a description of a stamps paper, gum (when dealing with mint stamps), and ink characteristics. The most adequate description of a stamp should be concise but still use as many words as necessary to properly describe the stamp. For example, a early British...... -
Valuing of Old Postage Stamps If you are interested in collecting stamps, then you probably already realize that stamp collecting is something that can be very valuable for a number of different reasons. Some old postage stamps are valuable simply because they are the only one of their kind, while others are valuable because they...... -
Queen Victoria Stamps Stamps -> UK (Great Britain) -> Victoria For collectors of stamps from Great Britain, perhaps the most desirable stamp of all is the Queen Victoria Stamp. This is a rare stamp that was first made in 1840. The original value was one penny, but since that time these stamps have...... -
History of Postage Stamp Collecting With the creation of the postage stamp came the birth of the concept of postage stamp collecting. This occurred just shortly after the first postage stamps were introduced in the year 1840 by Great Britain. Plilately, the study of postage stamp collecting has been derived from phileo, the Greek word...... -
The Most Essential Stamp Collecting Supplies It does not matter if you are just beginning in the stamp collecting world, or if you have been collecting avidly for years: There are a number of stamp collecting supplies that are truly essential to your collection. What this means is that you absolutely cannot do without these essential......
Related Websites -
The Art of Coin Collecting: 5 Things to Look For Coin collecting is nothing short of an art form, a collection style that mixes the beauty and grace of cast metal and printed paper with a strong sense of history. Coin collecting is like no other collection in the word, full of unique characteristics that drive the coin collecting market....... -
Uses of a Concrete Stamp A concrete stamp is something used by contractors and home remodelers to stamp a design into wet concrete. It's simply a stencil that's used to create a pattern or some other marking in wet concrete. Homeowners who enjoyed do-it-yourself projects can purchase concrete stamps and do it themselves. Many people...... -
Ballet Posters Memorabilia -> Music Memorabilia -> Classical, Opera, Ballet-> Posters For a budding ballerina, there is nothing quite like the inspiration that can come from looking at a ballet poster. These works of art inspire, and for collectors, they are a way of enjoying and expressing a love for this amazing...... -
How to Get Started in Coin Valuation Starting a coin collection is a big deal. You have a lot of different ways which you can go. You can choose to collect American coins or from any other country in the world. You can choose to collect modern coins, rare coins or old coins. One way or another,...... -
Green Flooring For Your Home If you are considering installing new flooring for your home, now is the time to consider reducing your carbon imprint. There are many new choices for flooring that are not only eco-friendly but also beautiful, economical and long lasting. Let’s go over some of the most popular choices for green......
- Design Greenhouses & Terrariums Garden Structures & Fencing Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
- Duck Stamps Back of Book United States Stamps
- Center Biological Insect & Grub Control Pest & Weed Control Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
- Design Apple Publications & Software Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
- Edge 491 Recumbent Exercise Bikes Cardiovascular Equipment Gym, Workout & Yoga Exercise & Fitness
