Value Of Old Postage Stamps
May 21, 2010 by Nigel Howell
Filed under Antiques
There are many factors that detertmine the value of old postage stamps. Like any market they are subject to forces of supply and demand. You have the supply and demand for the particular stamps which is in part determined by the supply and demand for stamps in general.
So what determines supply? The age of the old postage stamps is usually a factor. If you think about it, the older something is the less likely it will have survived to this day. You also need to consider the face value of the old postage stamps. The higher they are then it was less likely that people bought them.
The thing that adds to the scarcity is errors on the old postage stamps. These are errors that occur during production. Obviously there aren't too many of these around because as soon as these are noticed then they are withdrawn from being produced and distributed straight away.
Demand for old postage stamps in general has increased in recent years because investors have been looking for alternative ways to make money. Antiques, wines and collectables like old postage stamps have all been in demand.
Like anything the condition of the old postage stamps are a factor in their value. The better the condition the higher the value so it is important that you have the correct storage in place for your old postage stamps.
Just because the old postage stamps have been used doesn't mean they are worth anything. They do have a value. In fact they may be worth more than the mint version in the right condition.
Old postage stamps are cancelled by a cancellation stamp. Now this cancellation stamp can affect the value. If they are cancelled by the standard stamp then they won't be worth as much as those cancelled with something unusual.
So when you are thinking about the value of old postage stamps you need to think in terms of supply and demand. Remember just because a stamp issue is popular now doesn't mean it will carry a high value in the future. Old postage stamps that were popular in the past are likely now to have a high supply so keep that in mind.
Nigel has a renewed passion for old postage stamps. He inherited his passion along with his first stamp collection from his Grandad. If you would like to know more about this and the http://www.oldpostagestamps.net/value-of-old-postage-stamps/value-of-old-postage-stamps-2 then visit his website.
Tags: Antiques, collectables, collecting, old postage stamps, philately, stamp, stamp albums, stamp collecting, stamps, value of old postage stamps