Stamp Investment Tip: Kazakhstan 1994 Space Shuttle Souvenir Sheet (Scott #56)

  In 1994, Kazakhstan issued a souvenir sheet honoring the Russian Space Shuttle and Kazakh cosmonaut Toktar Ongarbayuly Aubakirov (Scott #56). 40,000 of the souvenir sheet were issued, and Scott '13 prices it unused at $3.50 .

The sheet makes an interesting and low-risk speculation based on its appeal as a Space Exploration topical, and as a bet on the economic growth of Kazakhstan and the development of a stamp market there. This recommendation is consistent with my belief that one of the best ways to play the new and newly resurrected countries of Europe and Asia is to focus on popular topicals with low printings.

A nation of 16 million, Kazakhstan is known to many outsiders from the somewhat demeaning film comedy "Borat." It is the 9th largest country in the world, with a territory greater than that of Western Europe, although its population density is less than 15 per square mile. Kazakhstan has plentiful reserves of oil, natural gas, uranium, chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, coal, iron, and gold. It also has a major agricultural sector, and is the seventh largest producer of grain. Annual GDP growth has averaged over 5% over the last 5 years.

Those interested in becoming part of an international community of stamp collectors, dealers, and investors are welcome to join the "Stampselectors" group at Facebook. The group hosts lively discussions concerning stamp investment and practical aspects of collecting, as is also an excellent venue for those who wish to buy, sell, or trade stamps.