value of old stamps Best answer on the web

Posted in: darrelrussell.com edit
07 Jan 2009
  • how much is a Hawaian stamp worth from the years around 1900?


  • Although Hawaii issued revenue stamps into the 20th century, the last postage stamps Hawaii issued was in the year 1899. If your stamp has a 1900 year date cancel, there is a good chance you have one of the following: In 1899, a one cent dark green stamp picturing the Hawaii Coat of Arms was issued that has a catalog value of $1.50 in unused condition and $1.25 in used condition. A two cent rose colored stamp was issued showing a water view of Honolulu valued at $1.40 unused and $1.00 used however, there is a valuable variety of this stamp that shows what appears to be a "flying goose" in the sky over the mountains. It is actually a crack in the printing plate that took the shape of a flying goose, but this variety dramatically increases the value to $325.00 unused and $300.00 used. In order for your stamp to be this variety you must be able to actually see what appears to be a tiny "Flying Goose" in the sky (long goose neck and all). Better check with a magnifying glass! It is a scarce variety because it only occurs on one stamp in the whole sheet. Another valuable variety of this rose colored stamp shows a double transfer and is unpriced in the catalogs because it is seldom traded, so a value has not been established. And still another valuable variety of this stamp exists and comes in a vertical pair where there are no horizontal perforations, only vertical perforations (holes along the edges). This is valued at $4,500.00 for an unused PAIR. Finally, a five cent blue stamp was issued in 1899 depicting a statue of King Kamehameha. The value is $5.50 unused and $3.00 used. Please keep in mind that condition is very important in evaluating the true worth of any stamp. If your stamp is PERFECTLY centered with no faults, wide margins, no marks on the glue on back (if unused) or has a small-town cancel (if used), the stamp could be worth more than the prices I mentioned. On the other hand, if the stamp is faulty, has no glue on back (if unused), and is off-center, it is worth considerably less. Used stamps from this set commonly have a Honolulu cancel. Though common, if the strike is complete, a SMALL premium can be added to the value for this cancel. Other readable town cancels could increase the value of used stamps from just a little to a whole lot - depending on the cancel or the town. "Volcano House" for example, is one of the scarcest cancels and could add $100.00 or more to the value of even a cheap stamp (depending on the strike). Pricing information for the basic stamps was obtained from the 2003 Scott Specialized Catalogue. Hope this was of some help!


  • There is no way to answer your question without knowing more about the particular stamp or stamps. Can you could give a detailed description, or provide links to photographs?