Stamp Investment Tips: Best Eight Value Stamps
There are millions of stamps cataloging from 25c to millions of dollars. But of these millions of stamps, what stamps are the best value for the money? I’ve defined “best value for the money” to mean stamps that sell quickest out of dealers stocks, are desired by a broad base of collectors, and for which dealer markups between what they buy the stamp for and sell it for are the lowest. These are the ten stamps that, if anyone wanted to invest a sum of money in philately, are the most liquid and have the best possibility for positive growth in the years ahead. None of them are cheap-cheap stamps that are common and will never be in high demand. But all are tried and true philatelic classics that are actively traded worldwide and sell the quickest when offered for sale. I’ve listed the current Scott catalog values after each listing. If I’ve listed both mint and used prices it means that the stamp is recommended both ways. If I’ve listed just mint or just used prices it means that I recommend the stamp only in that condition.
United States #313: This $5 stamp was issued in 1901. The high postal value meant that few collectors could afford to put them away. Considering that mint Columbian dollar values from the 1893 Columbian issue were still be traded by dealers at less than postage value meant, that many postal users who would have purchased this stamp were using the older Columbians instead. This stamp is rare and desirable in mint and or used condition. (Scott value mint $2100 and $700 used).
Great Britain 2 Shilling Brown (#56): This is probably the rarest regularly issued stamp of Great Britain. It was never a popular value with postal patrons-two shillings was a lot of money in the 1860’s and it gave business users more flexibility to buy one shilling stamps instead. The brown color of the two shilling was very close to the ten pence stamps which made it confusing to users and postal employees alike. The stamp is a fast seller when you can find it at all (Scott catalog value $200 used $3750 Mint, this stamp is a great rarity.)
Russia (546-550): This set of which pictures allegories of the horrors of war is popular in both: Russia and abroad as a thematic set. Russian stamps have increased in price dramatically over the last twenty years and though the internal economy in Russia is languishing the large number of successful Russian emigrants make Russian stamps a continuing good bet (Scott value mint $650).
Canada #1: The first stamp of Canada was in use for only a few years and then was replaced by a stamp printed on the same plates, but on different paper. #1 is on a laid paper and #4 is on a regular paper. Laid paper has a watermark pattern of horizontal lines and is easy to distinguish for those with a bit of experience. The stamp on the Laid paper (#1) is hard to find and makes our list. (Scott value used $1000)
United States #2: The #2 sells for about three times what the US #1 sells for, yet is found less than 10% as often as a#1, and is rarely found in dealer stacks.. If you start a US collection you should buy this stamp first (Scott value used $925).
France #C15: One of the world’s most beautiful and well-designed stamps is also one of its most popular and best values. The 50 Franc airmail from France was popular from when it was first issued in 1936. But 1936 saw some of the worst economic conditions of the Great Depression and most collectors could only dream of affording a copy of this stamp. It has been one of the world’s most popular stamps since it was issued. (Scott value mint $625).
Mexico University Set (#692-706): Always popular since it was issued in 1934, the Mexico University set has broad appeal to worldwide academics as well as Mexico collectors. It is rarely found in dealer stocks and when it is offered it sells very quickly (Scott value or used $3650).
Japan Airmail Souvenir Sheet #C8: This airmail sheet of japan was another Great Depression issue that millions of stamp collectors had on their wish lists and couldn’t afford. Scott value mint or used $1250.
