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Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Stamp Investment Tip: Netherlands Indies 1923 Wilhelmina Issue (Scott #151-157)


In 1923, the Netherland Indies issued a set of stamps picturing Queen Wilhelmina (Scott #151-57). 15,707 sets were issued, and it has a Scott '10 Value of $ 117.40 for unused.

I favor all scarce issues of the Netherlands Indies and Indonesia. Stamps of all former Dutch colonies are avidly collected in the Netherlands, and Indonesia is a developing, though still poor, country of 230 million people, with an annual GDP growth rate hovering around 5%-6%. Reforms will be necessary to address corruption and income inequities in this emerging market nation.

As a general rule, I consider issues of the European Colonies and overseas possessions better investments than those of the mother countries themselves. Quantities issued tend to be much lower, and the stamps have dual markets, both in the original "home" countries and in their former colonies, which are often developing nations.

Note that a scarce Perf. 11 1/2 X 11 variety of the 5c Myrtle Green exists (Scott #151a; Scott '10 Value as unused = $ 350.00 ; used CV = $ 110.00). It's possible that you may find one being sold as the cheap, normal stamp, which is Perf. 11 1/2, or the more common 11 X 11 1/2 variety. The difference is easy to miss.




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