Revenue Evaluation

Quality matters.  Desirability of USA revenues for collectors are quite volatile when it comes to quality.  For example, revenues which are graded average or fine are worth far less than those which are fine to very fine, very fine, and onwards.  Slightly off-centered, image cut by perforations, thins, heavy hinge remnants, rips, cut perforations, creases – these are all just the small faults which have an adverse effect on value.  The same goes for most stamps, although I personally find American Revenues one of the most volatile markets when it comes to value

Cancels.  There are a variety of different cancels which have been used on revenues.

- Cut cancels have the most adverse effect on price.  Regardless if it is circular, herringbone, slashes, etc. the value is             generally much lower.  For the Second and Third Revenues onwards in Scott, cut cancels are listed.
- Manuscript cancels are essentially hand scripted pen cancels.  The value stated in Scott are for these types of cancels.
- Cork or handstamp cancels.  There is a large variety of handstamp cancels.  There are many company, bank,        insurance,   railroads, etc. cancels available.  A large premium can be associated with these cancels based around rarity of     cancel, color, boldness, and if it is SON (socked on the nose).

Errors.  As stated above, most all errors demand a certain premium for the stamp – some more than others.  Proper research should be conducted about the true value of the stamp.

Fraudulent stamps.  American Revenues are some of the most susceptible stamps to being altered.  Many of the First Issue Revenues (R1-R101) are valued based on 2-4 varieties.  These varieties are imperforated, semi-perforated (two sides), fully perforated (four sides), and silk fibers.  This is shown by the letter at the end of the Scott number – a, b, c, or d respectively.  Therefore, to increase the value, fraudulent sellers can cut perforations to alter the stamp to be more valuable.  Expertizing is always recommended for high value items.  Please visit our “Links” tab for Bill Weiss’ Expertizing service.