How to Determine USA Postage Stamp Value
U.S. postage stamps have been in circulation since 1847, and thousands of stamps have since been issued. Determining the value of a stamp takes a certain amount of research and investigation. In addition to rarity and demand, U.S. stamp values are determined by their grade, which is a combination of two factors: soundness and centeredness.
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Instructions
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Magnifying glass and stamp tongs Place your stamp on a flat, clean surface, in a well-lit area.
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Lincoln 4-cent stamp Evaluate the stamp's soundness, using the magnifying glass. Soundness is the presence or absence of faults, such as tears, creases, spots, stains, color fading and faulty gum condition.
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Eisenhower 8-cent stamp Evaluate the stamp's centeredness, which is the balance among the four margins, using the magnifying glass. Centeredness is rated on a scale from "good" (poorest) to "gem" (superb).
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15-cent stamp Determine the preliminary stamp grade using the soundness and centeredness values. Greater soundness (or faultlessness) and centeredness are associated with higher values.
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Cancelled 5-cent stamp Evaluate your stamp's "eye appeal," which is a determining factor in the final grading process. The evaluation process of a used stamp usually relates to its cancellation characteristics. A dark cancellation that obstructs the stamp design, for example, is much less desirable. Eye appeal for an unused stamp involves evaluating its size, color, freshness and impression.
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3-cent stamp Research the value of your stamp using the grade determined from your evaluation. Compare your stamp against similar ones with known value. Check more than one resource, many of which are available on-line. Get a professional opinion or have your stamp evaluated for authenticity.
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Tips & Warnings
Unused stamps are also evaluated on their gum condition, or the sticky part on the reverse side. Gum condition usually has already been considered in the soundness evaluation.
Stamps separated with scissors have a substantially lower value.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit USA. Liberty Bell. Stamp. image by Blue Moon from Fotolia.com Old stamp image by Yuriy Rozanov from Fotolia.com stamp image by hugy from Fotolia.com eisenhower image by hugy from Fotolia.com us air mail stamp image by hugy from Fotolia.com washington image by hugy from Fotolia.com US Postage. These Immortals Chaplans..Timbre postal. image by Blue Moon from Fotolia.com
