Stamp Investment Tip: South Korea 1957 15h Christmas Souvenir Sheets (Scott #265a-67a)

  In 1957, South Korea issued a rather boring set of stamps celebrating Christmas, and picturing the Star of Bethlehem and a pine cone (Scott #265-67). In addition, it also issued three souvenir sheets duplicating the stamp designs (Scott #265a-67a). Only 2,000 of each souvenir sheet were issued, and Scott '13 prices the set of unused sheets at $1,800 ($3,000.- for NH)  .

  I recommend purchase of these souvenir sheets, as they should do well based on the growth in popularity of Religion/Christianity topicals, as well as interest in stamps of Korea.


South Korea, a nation of about 50 million people, is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Currently, it is the world's 13th largest economy and eighth largest exporter. It's export-fueled economic growth has led to a miraculous explosion in its GDP, from almost nothing 50 years ago to about $1 trillion today. Annual GDP growth has averaged about 4% over the last 5 years, reflecting a slowdown in 2009 due to the global financial crisis. Furthermore, South Korea may be the most rapidly aging nation on earth, as its 65+ population is expected to more than quadruple from 9% in 2005 to 38% in 2050. Obviously, this could pose economic challenges for the country, but it will almost certainly add to its stamp collecting population.

Information concerning printing quantities of stamps is often useful in determining which may turn out to be good investments. The StampSelector Scarce Stamp Quantities Issued List (SSSSQIL) currently includes over 9,700 listings of stamps and souvenir sheets with issuance quantities of 100,000 or less.