First day of issue stamps are popular with many collectors, but their worth is always a question. While some are clearly worth a lot, many are not. This leaves many beginner philatelists wondering if first day of issue stamps are worth anything, or if they should be left alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First day of issue stamps are rarely worth more than their face value. There have been some instances where first day of issue stamps have been worth a lot of money, but this is usually a result of their rarity or collectability, along with a mix of other factors like stamp errors.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a lot of variables to consider with first day of issue stamps. Some are obvious and tangible, but some are intangible and subjective. Understanding these variables can help you decide if you own any stamps of worth or if starting a collection is something you are interested in doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There can be a few components<\/strong> to any first day of issue stamp, depending on how you purchased them. You can purchase the stamp outright or your first day of issue stamp can come with the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A cover is an envelope, postcard or some other type of mailable object on which the stamp is affixed<\/strong>. Often, a cachet is located on the bottom left front face of the cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are less common today than they once were, but handwritten or stamped cachets were once very popular<\/strong>. Frequently, an artist would be commissioned to do a cachet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A cachet can be commissioned by the stamp issuer, collector or dealer<\/strong>. It can also be hand drawn artwork. Provided the cachet adheres to post office rules, the cover is mailable and the cachet is fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cachet artwork usually highlights some aspect of the commemorative or first day of issue stamp<\/strong>. Popular cachet topics include information about an event, location, person or hobby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some first day of issue stamps, particularly if they have historical significance, are presented to the collector in the form of a commemorative display page. The display page resides in a binder with other commemorative and first day of issue stamps<\/strong> and stamp covers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Traditional components<\/strong> on a display page are<\/strong> typically<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some collectors buy the stamps outright in different quantities. Often, a collector will buy an entire booklet of stamps, or a specific dollar amount worth of stamps. The reasoning behind this is<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In cases where the collector anticipates using the stamps, one will usually be mailed<\/strong> by the collector to themselves<\/strong>, and the rest will be offered to other collectors or sold privately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When first day of Issue stamps are put in circulation, there is usually a press event<\/strong> that is attached to the release. This often happens in the post office that is tied by location to whatever the stamp\u2019s image is. Releasing stamps commemorating human flight, for instance, frequently happened in and around Kittyhawk, NC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, pre-printed covers are also usually included<\/strong> with first day of issue stamps. These can be purchased by collectors. They often have a cachet that describes the stamp, event, object or person it is commemorating and why that event, object or person has significance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some collectors also purchase sheets or rolls of first day of Issue stamps<\/strong> and affix them to envelopes from that post office the stamp was released. They then mail the envelope back to themselves. This gives them a first day of Issue stamp and a postmark from the historical and commemorated location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, not all first day of issue stamps are worth<\/strong> thousands of dollars. In fact, many are not worth near that and never approach anything close to that. With all stamps, there are some variables that can help determine value. These are the foundation above and beyond any first day value that is affixed to the stamp in question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More than any other facet of stamp value, a stamp\u2019s condition is the primary driver<\/strong> of value. With rare exceptions, a stamp in great condition will be worth more than the same stamp in bad condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It does not matter how rare<\/strong> a stamp is<\/strong> or whether it commemorates something that is highly collectible if it\u2019s in bad condition. There are multiple ways the condition<\/strong> of a stamp can be damaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a cancellation mark obscures a stamp image, it affects the value negatively<\/strong>. This can happen when a cancellation or postmark is misapplied or the ink on them gets smudged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This happens at the printers during the perforating process. In some cases, a perforation that is irregular can enhance the value of a stamp<\/strong>, particularly if rarity is also a factor. In most cases, however, irregular perforation marks degrade the value of a stamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stamps can be damaged by any of these three while in transit or even when being separated from a roll or sheet of stamps. Stamps that are left in an uncontrolled environment like a desk drawer can also be damaged. When this type of damage occurs, the value of a stamp is reduced<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The glue on the back of a stamp is called its \u201cgum.\u201d Over time, if a stamp is neglected, the gum can dry up <\/strong>or if the stamp is in a collection and moved a lot, it can be rubbed off<\/strong>. The gum and the stamp can become damaged if someone tries to remove it<\/a> from a cover or envelope as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a stamp has been in circulation, like money, it is exposed to all sorts of potential contaminants. One is liquid. Water can erode and degrade a stamp, rendering it uncollectible<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This list of ways a stamp can become damaged<\/strong> and thus reduced in overall value to a collector or dealer is not exclusive. If you think of the stamp as a piece of paper and the ways a piece of paper can become degraded, the list of possibilities is virtually endless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A \u201ccover\u201d in stamp lingo is something a stamp is affixed to<\/strong> that may or may not be a mailable object. Covers can be postcards, envelopes, sheets of paper commemorating the stamp, etc. The condition of that cover can determine the value of the stamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, a pristine post and cancellation mark<\/strong> on a stamp in great condition that is affixed to a full envelope is worth more than a stamp that is torn off an envelope, with or without the post and cancellation mark. A mangled cover, even if the stamp is in good condition, or a cover with a smeared postmark, will be worth less than one that is not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That makes the cover of the stamp a factor<\/strong> to consider when determining its value. If the stamp is rare enough, or highly collectible, it might not matter. But if all things are equal, a stamp on a cover in poor condition will be worth a lot less than one that is in good condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First day of issue stamps can be rare or they can be common. As every stamp was once a first day of issue, every type of stamp has a version of it from its issue date. However, the older and rarer a type of stamp, the rarer its first day of issue version will be.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes a stamp has an error in its coloring, perforations, or placement and is pulled from circulation. Ideally, none get into general circulation, but that is not always the case. A good example of a this is the Inverted Jenny stamp<\/strong>, which was minted in 1918 and featured an image of a biplane that was upside down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only 100 Inverted Jenny stamps<\/strong> were ever found<\/strong>, which makes it exceptionally rare and valuable. At auction, in 2016, a rare Inverted Jenny stamp sold at a hammer price of $1.1 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another example is the Baden 9 Kreuzer Error from Germany. Minted in 1851, it was printed on the wrong paper<\/strong> (bluish green versus rose). There are only an estimated 5 in existence, which makes it one of the rarest stamps. One sold at auction for over $1 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other types of errors<\/strong> that affect value include, but are not limited to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some stamps are more collectible than others. When that happens, a stamp\u2019s value increases. As more stamps are pulled off the market and into stamp collections, their frequency diminishes. That also means the rarity of a stamp becomes acute and the value of that stamp increases<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some stamps, however, are just unpopular<\/strong>. Stamps that have been unpopular, but because of that are also rare, include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each of these stamps had comparatively short runs<\/strong> because they were unpopular. That also, however, has driven their rareness and collectability. Collectability is impossible to predict<\/strong> and sometimes a stamp becomes collectible for the oddest reasons, including being disliked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This history of a stamp<\/strong> also factors into its overall value. Where the stamp was minted and its story regarding its production can add a lot of value to some stamps. For example, a stamp with a rare perforation<\/a> can be worth a lot of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow First Day Of Issue Stamps Are Issued<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
First Day Of Issue Cover<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Self-Made Cachet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cachet Artwork<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Display Page<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A Complete Booklet Of Stamps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Issuance Process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Are First Day Of Issue Stamps Worth Anything?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Condition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Smudged Cancellation Mark<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Perforation Irregularities<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Rips, Gouges, And Creases<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Gum Issues<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Liquid Damage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Condition Of The Cover<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Rare Are First Day Of Issue Stamps?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Errors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Collectability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
History<\/h3>\n\n\n\n