Stamp Investment Tip: Argentina 1956 Stamp Centenary Souvenir Sheet (Scott #653a)

   In 1956, Argentina issued a souvenir sheet celebrating the centenary of its postage stamps (Scott #653a). 100,000 were issued, and Scott '14 prices the unused sheet at $9.00.

   The sheet has additional appeal as a Stamp-on-Stamp topical.

I continue to favor all better stamps of Latin America as bets on the growth of the region's middle class. As collectors often focus on Latin America as a whole, demand for the stamps of the individual countries is supplemented by the the more general regional focus.

With a population of about 40 million, Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Historically, Argentina's economic performance has been uneven, as periods of high economic growth have alternated with severe downturns. Over the last 5 years, annual GDP growth has averaged an impressive 6.5%. However, over the last 20 years Argentina has weathered several major debt crises and recessions.

 "The Stamp Specialist" blog features my buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. I've posted a buy list for Argentina. Viewing dealers' buy lists every now and then is an excellent way to keep current on the vagaries of the stamp market.

Stamp Investment Tip: Argentina 1948 Postal Service Anniversary Souvenir Sheets (Scott #582-83)

   In 1948, Argentina issued a set of two souvenir sheets celebrating the bicentennial of the establishment of postal service on the Plata River (Scott #582-83).  20,000 sets were issued, and Scott '14 prices the unused set at $32.- .

   These colorful sheets have additional appeal to collectors of Transportation and Animal/Horse topicals. 


   I continue to favor all better stamps of Latin America as bets on the growth of the region's middle class. As collectors often focus on Latin America as a whole, demand for the stamps of the individual countries is supplemented by the the more general regional focus.

With a population of about 40 million, Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Historically, Argentina's economic performance has been uneven, as periods of high economic growth have alternated with severe downturns. Over the last 5 years, annual GDP growth has averaged an impressive 6.5%. However, over the last 20 years Argentina has weathered several major debt crises and recessions.

 "The Stamp Specialist" blog features my buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. I've posted a buy list for Argentina, including the set recommended in this article. Viewing dealers' buy lists every now and then is an excellent way to keep current on the vagaries of the stamp market.

Stamp Investment Tip: Argentina 1917 Bolivar (Scott #231-46)

  In 1917, Argentina issued a set of sixteen stamps picturing Jose de San Martin, the  prime leader of the southern part of South America's successful struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire (Scott #231-46). While printing quantity information is unavailable for this set, I estimate that fewer than 15,000 sets were issued. Scott '13 prices the unused set at $ 186.90.

It is likely that the vast majority of these sets were used as postage and discarded. It wouldn't surprise me if fewer than a couple thousand remain, in any condition.

I continue to favor all better stamps of Latin America as bets on the growth of the region's middle class. As collectors often focus on Latin America as a whole, demand for the stamps of the individual countries is supplemented by the the more general regional focus.

With a population of about 40 million, Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Historically, Argentina's economic performance has been uneven, as periods of high economic growth have alternated with severe downturns. Over the last 5 years, annual GDP growth has averaged a whopping 8.5%. However, over the last 20 years Argentina has weathered several major debt crises and recessions.

I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", which will feature my buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. I've posted a buy list for Argentina, including the set recommended in this article. Viewing dealers' buy lists every now and then is an excellent way to keep current on the vagaries of the stamp market.

Stamp Investment Tip: Argentina 1931 Coup Anniversary Overprint (Scott #399-405)

On September 6, 1930, Argentina experienced a coup d'etat which the Argentine military, aided by Standard Oil, deposed President Hipolito Yrigoyen, the country's first elected leader. This resulted in the rule of a quasi-fascist, authoritarian regime during a period known in Argentina as the "Infamous Decade."

In September of 1931, six stamps were overprinted to celebrate the first anniversary of the coup (Scott #399-405). 20,000 sets were issued, and Scott '12 prices the unused set at $85.50. Like many better items of Latin America, the set is grossly undervalued, and serves as a poignant reminder of the fact that multinational corporations have often opposed democracy in Latin America by installing or supporting profitable dictatorships.


I continue to favor all better stamps of Latin America as bets on the growth of the region's middle class. Demand for the stamps of the individual countries is bolstered by the tendency of collectors to focus on the region as a whole.

With a population of about 40 million, Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Historically, Argentina's economic performance has been uneven, as periods of high economic growth have alternated with severe downturns. Over the last 5 years, annual GDP growth has averaged over 6%. However, over the last 20 years Argentina has weathered several major debt crises and recessions.


I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", which will feature my buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. I've just posted a buy list for Argentina, including the set recommended in this article. Viewing dealers' buy lists every now and then is an excellent way to keep current on the vagaries of the stamp market.

Stamp Investment Tip: Argentina 1910 Centenary of the Republic (Scott #160-75)

In 1910, Argentina celebrated its centenary as a republic by issuing a set of 16 stamps (Scott #160-75). Only 12,500 sets were issued, and Scott '11 prices it unused at $338.05.

It is likely that the vast majority of these sets were used as postage and discarded. It wouldn't surprise me if fewer than a couple thousand remain, in any condition.

I continue to favor all better stamps of Latin America as bets on the growth of the region's middle class. As collectors often focus on Latin America as a whole, demand for the stamps of the individual countries is supplemented by the the more general regional focus.

With a population of about 40 million, Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Historically, Argentina's economic performance has been uneven, as periods of high economic growth have alternated with severe downturns. Over the last 5 years, annual GDP growth has averaged a whopping 8.5%. However, over the last 20 years Argentina has weathered several major debt crises and recessions.

I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", which will feature my buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. I've just posted a buy list for Argentina, including the set recommended in this article. Viewing dealers' buy lists every now and then is an excellent way to keep current on the vagaries of the stamp market.

Stamp Investment Tip: Argentina 1930 Revolution Issue (Scott #374-92)

In 1930, Argentina commemorated its revolution of that year by issuing a set of seventeen stamps (Scott #374-92). The Revolution of 1930 was basically a military coup which put the conservative right in power, resulting in 13 years of political corruption and repression, which was terminated by another coup in 1943. Only 3,000 sets were issued, and Scott '11 values the unused set at $1,264.50.

I continue to favor all better stamps of Latin America as bets on the growth of the region's middle class. As collectors often focus on Latin America as a whole, demand for the stamps of the individual countries is supplemented by the the more general regional focus.

With a population of about 40 million, Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Historically, Argentina's economic performance has been uneven, as periods of high economic growth have alternated with severe downturns. Over the last 5 years, annual GDP growth has averaged a whopping 8.5%. However, over the last 20 years Argentina has weathered several major debt crises and recessions.

I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", which will feature my buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. I've just posted a buy list for Argentina, including the set recommended in this article. Viewing dealers' buy lists every now and then is an excellent

way to keep current on the vagaries of the stamp market.

Stamp Investment Tip: Argentina 1930 Zeppelin First Flight, Green Overprint (Scott #C25-29)

In 1930, Argentina overprinted some of its 1928 Airmail stamps to produce two sets to be used on the Zeppelin flight from Germany to South America (Scott #C20-24, C25-29). Both sets are scarce, as only 4,375 of the first and 947 of the second were sold. I prefer the scarcer, green-overprinted set- #C25-29 (or its 1.80p high value alone), because the high value is valuable enough to be worth getting expertized. Scott '11 values the unused set at $ 766.-and #C29 alone at $700.-.

The set strongly appeals to both collectors of Argentina and of Zeppelin stamps. Zeppelin stamps and covers are extremely popular among "Zepp" collectors and Aviation topicalists, especially in Europe. Those issued by destination-countries which are likely prospects for rapid economic development should do very well over the next decades.

With a population of about 40 million, Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Historically, Argentina's economic performance has been uneven, as periods of high economic growth have alternated with severe downturns. Over the last 5 years, annual GDP growth has averaged a whopping 8.5%. However, over the last 20 years Argentina has weathered several major debt crises and recessions.

I have begun a new blog, "The Stamp Specialist", which will feature my buy prices for stamps which I am interested in purchasing. I've just posted a buy list for Argentina, including the set recommended in this article. Viewing dealers' buy lists every now and then is an excellent way to keep current on the vagaries of the stamp market.

Those interested in joining a community of stamp collectors, dealers, and investors are encouraged to join the "Stampselectors" group at Facebook. The group provides an excellent venue for trading, and a forum for discussion of topics related to philatelic investing and the practical aspects of stamp collecting.

Stamp Investment Tip: Argentina 1935 Philatelic Exhibition Souvenir Sheet (Scott #452)

In 1935, Argentina issued a souvenir sheet (Scott #452), reproducing the San Martin design of 1923-24, at the Buenos Aires Philatelic Exhibition. 14,579 of these "stamp on stamp" topical souvenir sheets were issued, and Scott '10 prices it at $ 75.00 unused and $ 35.00 used.

With a population of about 40 million, Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Historically, Argentina's economic performance has been uneven, as periods of high economic growth have alternated with severe downturns. Over the last 5 years, annual GDP growth has averaged a whopping 8.5%. However, over the last 20 years Argentina has weathered several major debt crises and recessions.


Regardless of what Argentina's economic see-saw will look like over the next few years, I am convinced that the 1935 Philatelic Exhibition souvenir sheet is undervalued, and a possible target for hoarding and market manipulation. I recommend purchase of it in VF NH, LH, or Used condition. When purchasing unused sheets, avoid those with gum bends, which are common on this issue.