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 -
Australia Stamp King George V Stamps -> Australia The first proper Australian stamps appeared in 1913, with the stamps Australia King George V varieties appearing about 6 months after the first stamps showed up in January. While some Australian stamps were originally issued in 1902, it was 1913 before stamps for the Commonwealth of Australia...... -
Third Reich Stamps Stamps -> Europe -> Germany and Area When it comes to collecting stamps that were produced during the second world war, many collectors gravitate towards what are known as “Third Reich Stamps.” These are stamps that were produced in Germany from a period between 1933 and 1945, when the Third...... -
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...... -
Valuable Stamps Stamps -> Worldwide -> Postal History If you are interested in stamp collecting as more than just a hobby, it is important to focus on finding valuable stamps. These are the ones that will enhance your personal collection and provide you with a solid investment that you can count on....... -
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 -
Home Office Ideas Home working has reached a level where it has once again become a major part of the economy. It is especially big in Europe. For example, approximately 4 million residents in the UK work from home necessitating the need to optimise their office spaces in order to improve efficiency, while...... -
What's the Purpose of a Concrete Stamp A concrete stamp gives poured concrete the appearance of almost any type of surface you can imagine will from cobblestone to brick to wood, depending on the design of the stamp. A sidewalk, patio or driveway can be poured and made to look like something else with a concrete stamp....... -
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...... -
How to Sell Rare Coins Rare coins are some of the most sought after coins in the coin collecting world, providing individuals with interesting and unique collections that make others jealous. These are different coins with value that is generally higher than others, expensive coins that only serious coin collectors go after. If you have...... -
Why You Should Get the Best Information on Currency Coin There are many different things that you will need to know if you are thinking about getting started with coin collecting. Of course, even if you have been collecting for a long time, it is impossible that you will be able to know everything there is to know about all......
- Edge 491 Recumbent Exercise Bikes Cardiovascular Equipment Gym, Workout & Yoga Exercise & Fitness
- Design Apple Publications & Software Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
- 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
