Collecting Rare Stamps


Investing in rare stamps is a normal occurrence that's undertaken by intermediate to advanced stamp collectors. Rare stamps are tangible investments with potential similar to collecting art. But in addition to their investment potential, rare stamps also give their owners a great deal of pleasure. A sense of accomplishment. A sense of completion.

The value of any given stamp is directly proportional to its scarcity, in other words, how rare (or not) it is. Many stamps, such as the one cent British Guiana black on magenta, the Treskilling Banco Yellow stamp or the US one cent Z Grill, are extremely rare because only one (or just a few) were ever produced, and even fewer survive today. Because there are so few, and because so many stamp collectors covet them, the value of these stamps - and those in similarcircumstances - is very high.

Collecting rare stamps is a challenge, and can be quite expensive. But not always - some are found in a neglected old desk drawer or in an attic. Rare stamp varieties can even be found in stamp kiloware or off-paper stamp assortments. The lucky collector who finds a rare stamp this way is lucky indeed - if he or she decides to sell it, they might be able to live out their lives on the proceeds.