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MARKET
INFORMATION
LIQUIDITY
MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUYERS AND SELLERS
The Scott Catalog, the authority in stamp pricing for over 100 years, now
issues an annual Valuing Supplement pricing graded stamps using the PSE scale.
Scott’s adoption of this scale gave credibility to stamp grading and
established an industry wide benchmark for valuation. Additionally, the Stamp
Market Quarterly, incepted in 2002, prices graded stamps on a quarterly
basis. These guides have become the authority in graded stamp values, enabling
collectors and investors to easily and accurately evaluate their holdings. The
certainty of pricing, backed by the authority of the Scott Catalog and SMQ
will mean increased liquidity, as demonstrated by a 13% increase in overall
stamp market sales volume from 2003 to 2004.
PERFORMANCE
STRONG HISTORICAL GROWTH ENHANCED BY NEW STANDARDS
Sales of high-quality rare stamps have dramatically increased in value in recent
years, as evidenced by the record price paid for the “Inverted
Jenny” stamp in 2005. Standardized grading and encapsulation is
delivering dramatic increases in value across the rare stamp market.
A RECORD VALUE
INVERTED JENNY
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Sales Date
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Description
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Sale Price
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October 8, 1998
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XF-S without grade |
$192,500
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June 3, 2005
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XF-S PSE Grade 95
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$577,500
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One of the greatest rarities in all philately is the famous “Inverted
Jenny” stamp, shown above left. One of the finest examples of the 96
“Jennys” known to exist, described as Extremely Fine-Superb (XF-S)
with a PSE grade of 95, sold in a Siegel Auction on June 3, 2005 for the
record-breaking price of $577,500.
This is the highest price ever paid for a 20th century U.S. stamp and the
highest price paid for an unused single U.S. stamp. The exact same stamp,
without a PSE Grade, was previously sold by Siegel in October, 1998 for
$192,500.
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Graded / Ungraded Stamp Value Comparison
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US SCOTT #122A without grill
(1869-90c Lincoln Carmine and Black)
Quantity Known - 23
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The stamp shown here, described as Extremely Fine,
Original Gum and with a PSE Grade of XF/OG 90, sold at the Goldberg Auction in
April, 2005 for $34,100.
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Sales Date
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Description
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Sale Price
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September 27, 1995
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XF-OG without grade
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$11,500
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April 11, 2005
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XF-OG PSE Grade 90
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$34,100
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A similar stamp, described as Extremely Fine (XF) with
Original Gum (OG), and without a PSE grade, sold at Christie’s in
September, 1995 for $11,500.
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US SCOTT #242
(1893- $2.00 Columbian-Red Brown)
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The stamp shown here, described as Extremely Fine, Never
Hinged, with a PSE Grade of XF, NH,90, sold at H.R. Harmer in June, 2005 for
$25,300.
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Sales Date
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Description
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Sale Price
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April 2005
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XF-NH without grade
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$18,150
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June 2005
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XF-S NH PSE Grade 90
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$25,300
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A similar stamp described as Extremely Fine (XF) Never
Hinged (NH), without a PSE grade, sold at Bennett Auction in April, 2005 for
$18,150.
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US SCOTT #311
(1902- $1.00 Black - Farragut)
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The stamp shown here, described as Extremely Fine-Superb,
Never Hinged, and with a PSE Grade of XF-S, NH 95, sold at H.R. Harmer in June,
2005 for $13,800.
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Sales Date
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Description
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Sale Price
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April 11, 2005
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XF-S NH PSE Grade 95
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$7,150
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June 24, 2005
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XF-S NH PSE Grade 95
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$13,800
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A Similar stamp described Extremely Fine- Superb
(XF-S), Never Hinged (NH) with a PSE Grade of 95, sold at Goldberg Auction in
April, 2005 for $7,150. This is an amazing increase for two stamps with the
same grade, nearly doubling in price in less then 90 days.
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US SCOTT #RW1 (Duck Stamp)
(1934 Mallards Alighting, $1 Blue)
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The stamp shown here, described as Extremely Fine-Superb,
Never Hinged, with a PSE Grade of XF-S 95, sold at Goldberg Auction in April,
2005 for $2,530.
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Sales Date
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Description
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Sale Price
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November 5, 2004
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XF NH without grade
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$1,210
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April 11, 2005
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XF-S NH PSE Grade 95
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$2,530
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A similar stamp described as Extremely Fine (XF), Never
Hinged (NH), without a PSE grade, sold at Shreve’s Auction in November,
2004 for $1,210.
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