The heyday of philately in our country fell on the 80s of the last century. Then a lot of unique and not very unique brands were issued. Many stamp collectors with stamps inherited from their fathers and grandfathers. However, to independently determine the value of the brand is not so easy. Use our tips.
Instruction manual
1
First of all, you need to understand that the brand itself has no value. This is just a small piece of paper with the image of something on it. Only the desire and desire of another person to acquire this copy in their collection makes it valuable, while paying a certain amount of money. Obviously, the value of brands is not related to the global economy and global trends.
2
To determine the value of stamps, famous philatelists in their circles created catalogs. The most famous today are the Scott catalogs (American), the Michaels catalog (very detailed, German). In specialized stores you can find Russian catalogs, but they have not received such fame.
3
Prices in catalogs appear after a thorough study of the postage stamp market. They are advisory in nature and do not guarantee that the brand will actually be bought at such a high price, for example. The cheapest brands, mostly multi-run, are sold in kilograms or pounds.
4
Brands in perfect condition, in the literal sense of the word, are most valued. They should be quick (not have a postal stamp), with whole teeth, with fully preserved glue on the back, without scratches and wrinkles. Recycled stamps are valuable only if they were issued in small print runs and were almost never found in postal use. The date stamp is important here, and it’s best to even save the envelope.
5
The cost of stamps depends on general trends in the world of philately. For example, now the brands of the USSR, Vatican, and Africa are sold at prices much lower than those indicated in the catalogs, since these countries are not yet in fashion. However, everything can change at any time.
6
Other methods for determining the value of brands include auction houses and some online resources. However, referring to such sources, it is necessary to first make inquiries about their reputation in order to avoid unpleasant situations in the future.
