This is a common question that stamp collectors have when deciding whether to leave old stamps intact on envelopes or remove them for their collections. There are good arguments on both sides of this issue, and the value of used versus unused stamps depends on several factors.
Quick Answers
– Generally, unused vintage stamps tend to be worth more than used stamps of the same type. This is because unused stamps are rarer, since many stamps were used for mailing purposes.
– However, certain rare and unique used stamps can be incredibly valuable, sometimes worth more than an unused version. Factors like rarity, demand, condition and history come into play.
– For modern stamps issued in the last 30 years or so, used and mint stamps tend to have closer values, although mint still usually retains a modest premium.
– Stamps with value tied to the envelope or package they are affixed to tend to be much more desirable and valuable if left intact on their original usage. This includes first day covers and rare postal usages.
Factors That Determine Stamp Value
Several key factors influence the value of a stamp and whether it is worth more postally used or in pristine unused condition:
Rarity
In general, an unused stamp is harder to find than a used version, since many stamps were widely used for postal needs. Limited print runs of certain vintage 19th and early 20th century stamps led to far more used copies remaining than original unused stamps. If an unused stamp was subject to heavy use, high loss rates, limited distribution or short print runs, it will be considerably scarcer than a used example and worth more to collectors as a result.
Condition
An unused stamp that is perfectly preserved with original gum and crisp corners will be valued higher than a used stamp displaying signs of wear, stains, tears or other damage from postal handling and circulation. However, a used stamp can still be very valuable if it is unusually well-centered and retains bright, unfaded colors.
Demand
Collectors generally favor unused stamps in mint condition when building collections focused on a particular time period, subject or country. This gives mint stamps an inherent demand advantage in most cases. However, certain unique used examples gain value from historical association with an event or famous person. These stance have high demand despite being postally used.
Authenticity
Unused classic stamps are more prone to skilled forgeries since forgers focus on where the money is. This gives an advantage to genuinely postally used stamps that often have verifiable cancellations and placement on original envelopes. High value mint stamps usually require expertization to confirm authenticity.
Factors Favoring Used Stamps
While unused stamps command a premium in general, there are certain circumstances where a postally used stamp can be extraordinarily valuable and worth more than a mint example:
Unique Usages
A stamp with a first day of issue or other noteworthy postal usage often retains the envelope or postcard it is affixed to, giving it a unique historical association that collectors find desirable. These stamps in used condition on their original vintage mail can be worth exponentially more than ordinary used examples or mint versions of the same stamp issue.
Famous Addressees
If a stamp was used to mail an envelope to or from a celebrity, historical figure or noteworthy person, it gains a unique value from that association well above an ordinary used or mint stamp. Stamps originally attached to mail sent by or to presidents, royalty, pioneers in various fields, etc. are all highly sought after for postal history collections.
Rare Postal Usages
Interesting postal usages like special delivery, registered or airmail, packages, telegrams, wartime censored mail, or other scarce usages give used stamps far more value and appeal than regular postally used examples. Unusual rates, routes, services and destinations distinguish the stamp with characteristics that collectors find desirable.
Condition Rarity
Most used stamps show signs of cancellation marks, short perforations, stains or other flaws from circulation. A stamp in phenomenally well-centered and pristine used condition can sometimes be extraordinarily rare and valuable. This used condition rarity makes the stamp more desirable to collectors than an ordinary mint example.
Modern Stamp Values
For stamps issued after 1950, used examples tend to be worth around 80-90% as much as mint stamps from the same issue. This is because condition and gum are less important with contemporary stamps that often use self-adhesive formats. The quantities printed usually exceed collector demand for mint stamps. As a result, used recent stamps remain very close in value to unused condition.
Examples of Modern Stamp Values
| Stamp | Mint Value | Used Value |
|---|---|---|
| US 29c Flag coil stamp, 2018 | $0.50 | $0.40 |
| Great Britain Machin definitive, 1st class, 1997 | $0.20 | $0.18 |
| Canada Tulip definitive, 2015 | $1.25 | $1.00 |
As shown, used modern stamps typically sell for around 75-90% the value of mint. Differences in condition have minimal impact compared to vintage material.
Conclusion
For classic stamps printed from the mid-1800s until the early 20th century, unused examples in pristine, original condition generally command significant premiums over postally used examples. This value advantage for mint stamps also applies to the majority of vintage 20th century issues until around 1950.
However, uniquely used examples like first days, stamp issues on cover with interesting postal history, associated with famous persons, or extraordinarily choice condition used stamps can be very scarce and desirable. These sometimes sell for multiples of basic mint stamps from the same issue.
When evaluating an old stamp, it is important to consider factors like rarity of usage, condition, demand and authenticity to determine ideal condition for that particular item. Specialist input from professional dealers and appraisers is recommended for rare and high value stamps. Proper identification, certification and expertization maximize value.
While mint stamps are usually worth more for classics, exceptional used examples with verifiable postal history association remain highly collectible and can justify high market values as well.