Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Hello everyone,I just have a couple of questions as I'm new to stamp collecting. I received a penny black from a friend and have been trying to get all the information I can about it. I was told on another site that it was worthless but of course would like a second opinion.
I also would like to know its estimated value. Any and all info is welcome. I really appreciate your time and knowledge. 
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No it's not worthless and would fetch probably € 40 to €50 on E-Bay if it has no thins or any other damage.It appears to be plate 6
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The Penny Black is not a rare stamp. there were over 68,000,000 of them printed.
If you go wikipedia org and search for penny black you should be able to get a lot of information there. Ron
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The other site's opinion that it was "worthless" was probably based on three factors shown in the scan:
1. Penny Blacks are valued higher if they show four clear margins; your stamp has only two clear margins (the edges of the stamp where a "white space" shows beyond the design).
2. Your stamp's design has been cut into at the top and right side, diminishing it's value; although related to point 1, in this case the design cuts seem quite deep.
3. A clear, easily discernible cancel is more desirable than an indistinct or smudged cancel, as shown on the scan.
IMHO, I doubt if you could get €40 to €50 for this stamp; it would have to have other mitigating features, like the plate number or design faults, to overcome the two issues above.
Peter
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07:05:42am
Penny Blacks are a perfect example of supply and demand at work. While not rare, the demand for the stamp far exceeds the supply, hence they sell well. I was about to suggest you do an Ebay search to determine value, but seems you have already listed it. With the hundreds of penny blacks currently being sold, I doubt you will get anywhere near the price you are asking. But who knows? Certainly doesn't hurt to try.
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Well at $600 it has the distinction of being just about the most expensive penny black in this condition on any auction. Considering reasonable copies are $50-$75
$6 would be a better start but even at that price.....
Edited:
Sorry & normally I don't comment on what beginners who actually collect show but that item is somewhere between worthless & garbage.
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04:54:48pm
Truthfully, I doubt I'd even bid $6.00 for it. So many decent copies are on the market at between $75 and $150, better copies and plates might fetch more.
the estimate "worthless" in my opinion is not far off the mark. I usually try to be upbeat in these matters, but I can't find it in my heart with this one, possibly I am soured by the eBay listing at $600.00. Actually, looking at it is depressing.
The only good thing is that there may be someone who doesn't have a copy and is financially strapped willing to spend next week's lunch money.
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Bought this one for AU$135. 4 borders with attractive portrait. The top image would only be considered a space filler.
The 1841 penny blue in this condition is worth around $400.
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Wow, cdj1122, do people where you live really spend $600 on a week's lunches? They're living pretty well - it's all about austerity over here in UK.
I agree that $6 may be a more likely price for this stamp - but then a thing is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. So we wait agog.
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01:06:16pm
" ..... do people where you live really spend $600 on a week's lunches? ...."
Sure, all the wealthy Colonials do that daily, and the bar bill is extra.
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01:28:55am
Hello everyone,
I just have a couple of questions as I'm new to stamp collecting. I received a penny black from a friend and have been trying to get all the information I can about it. I was told on another site that it was worthless but of course would like a second opinion. I also would like to know its estimated value. Any and all info is welcome. I really appreciate your time and knowledge.
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re: Just received a Penny Black (Info)
No it's not worthless and would fetch probably € 40 to €50 on E-Bay if it has no thins or any other damage.It appears to be plate 6
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03:24:34am
re: Just received a Penny Black (Info)
The Penny Black is not a rare stamp. there were over 68,000,000 of them printed.
If you go wikipedia org and search for penny black you should be able to get a lot of information there. Ron
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05:40:01am
re: Just received a Penny Black (Info)
The other site's opinion that it was "worthless" was probably based on three factors shown in the scan:
1. Penny Blacks are valued higher if they show four clear margins; your stamp has only two clear margins (the edges of the stamp where a "white space" shows beyond the design).
2. Your stamp's design has been cut into at the top and right side, diminishing it's value; although related to point 1, in this case the design cuts seem quite deep.
3. A clear, easily discernible cancel is more desirable than an indistinct or smudged cancel, as shown on the scan.
IMHO, I doubt if you could get €40 to €50 for this stamp; it would have to have other mitigating features, like the plate number or design faults, to overcome the two issues above.
Peter
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They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
30 Sep 2015
07:05:42am
re: Just received a Penny Black (Info)
Penny Blacks are a perfect example of supply and demand at work. While not rare, the demand for the stamp far exceeds the supply, hence they sell well. I was about to suggest you do an Ebay search to determine value, but seems you have already listed it. With the hundreds of penny blacks currently being sold, I doubt you will get anywhere near the price you are asking. But who knows? Certainly doesn't hurt to try.
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07:38:22am
re: Just received a Penny Black (Info)
Well at $600 it has the distinction of being just about the most expensive penny black in this condition on any auction. Considering reasonable copies are $50-$75
$6 would be a better start but even at that price.....
Edited:
Sorry & normally I don't comment on what beginners who actually collect show but that item is somewhere between worthless & garbage.
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
30 Sep 2015
04:54:48pm
re: Just received a Penny Black (Info)
Truthfully, I doubt I'd even bid $6.00 for it. So many decent copies are on the market at between $75 and $150, better copies and plates might fetch more.
the estimate "worthless" in my opinion is not far off the mark. I usually try to be upbeat in these matters, but I can't find it in my heart with this one, possibly I am soured by the eBay listing at $600.00. Actually, looking at it is depressing.
The only good thing is that there may be someone who doesn't have a copy and is financially strapped willing to spend next week's lunch money.
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Member ACCC (Australian Commonwealth Collectors Club of NSW)
18 Nov 2015
02:20:43pm
re: Just received a Penny Black (Info)
Bought this one for AU$135. 4 borders with attractive portrait. The top image would only be considered a space filler.
The 1841 penny blue in this condition is worth around $400.
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re: Just received a Penny Black (Info)
Wow, cdj1122, do people where you live really spend $600 on a week's lunches? They're living pretty well - it's all about austerity over here in UK.
I agree that $6 may be a more likely price for this stamp - but then a thing is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. So we wait agog.
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
19 Nov 2015
01:06:16pm
re: Just received a Penny Black (Info)
" ..... do people where you live really spend $600 on a week's lunches? ...."
Sure, all the wealthy Colonials do that daily, and the bar bill is extra.
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