There Are Many Different Kind Of Stamps

Author:

Jerald Shin Shapiro
Before you begin with your new hobby, you must first familiarize yourself with the various kinds of stamps that are out in the market. You\'ll be better able to appreciate the value and beauty of your collection when you can correctly recognize the classification of the stamps in your possession.

Philately is a marvelous hobby to have and it need not be expensive at all! When you\'re able to identify the different kinds of stamps, you\'ll no doubt have an easier time as well finding the right price for buying and selling.


STAMPS ACCORDING TO TYPES

Definitive - The first of all stamps was called Penny Black from Great Britain; it was also a definitive stamp. Definitive stamps are often small-sized and monochromatic. Definitive stamps are not printed in limited editions; they are in fact sold widely and in various denominations for them to be used in different types of mails.

Commemorative - These stamps on the other hand are often produced in honor of a certain figure or event. The first commemorative stamps ever produced in the United States in 1893 memorialized the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus. Since then, production of commemorative stamps has never ceased. If you would care to observe, you\'d see that commemorative stamps are generally bigger than the usual type of stamps - definitive - that we are used to. They are also printed in smaller quantities - around a hundred to two hundred million and in comparison with the billions of printings of definitive stamps. It\'s very rare if commemorative stamps that ran out of stock are actually reprinted. These stamps are tagged with standard first class rates.

Special - This is a fairly recent classification used for stamps; special stamps possess characteristics of both definitive and commemorative stamps. Most of these special stamps in the United States tend to contain Christmas or love themes. Although larger than commemorative stamps, special stamps are generally sold at common rates. Only when they become very much in demand are they reprinted and sold for higher rates.

STAMPS ACCORDING TO FORMAT

Sheets - Most stamps are generally printed in this format, also known as panes.

Coils - Lengthy strips or rolls of stamps that are sold in vending machines; they present a convenient way of purchasing stamps even during non-working hours of the postal office.
Booklets - Another convenient method of buying and owning stamps, booklets can be rather easily kept in one\'s wallet or bag.

STAMPS ACCORDING TO PURPOSE

Regular - Regular stamps for regular mail

Special Delivery - Issued in the 1800\'s, these stamps are - naturally - used for special deliveries

Postage Due - Stamps that indicate the amount due for postage

Airmail - Stamps that are specifically designed for various airmail and special services such as parcel post

STAMPS ACCORDING TO CONDITION

Unused - Stamps that you purchase from stores - online or offline - that are brand new are also called unused stamps. These stamps therefore have higher rates than second hand ones - unless the former is a definitive stamp while the other comes from a special or limited edition.

Used - These stamps have been used; placing stamps in albums are not counted of course. Since these stamps are secondhand, it\'s more difficult to find them good buyers unless - again - they\'re extremely in demand

Mint - When stamps are described in mint condition, they have never been used NOR damaged in any way. Naturally, stamps of this ilk always fetch a higher price than what\'s usual.


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