Stamp Investment Tip: Nova Scotia 1851-57 Issue (Scott #1-7)

From 1851-57, Nova Scotia, which was then a British colony, issued its first postage stamps (Scott #1-7). All featured the crown and heraldic flowers design which was used for several other issues of British North America, except for the 1p Red Brown (Scott #1), which portrayed a young Queen Victoria. All of these stamps are scarce, and while quantities issued are known on #2, the most common of the seven stamps, and #6 (91,000 and 50,000, respectively), each of the rest probably had comparable printings. The vast majority of these stamps were almost certainly used and discarded. I've listed the Scott '11 Catalogue values for unused and used below:

-1853 1p Red Brown (Scott #1; $3,250.- unused, $650.- used)

-1851-57 3p Bright Blue (Scott #2; $1,250.- unused, $240.- used)

-1851-57 3p Dark Blue (Scott #3; $1,600.- unused, $300.- used)

-1851-57 6p Yellow Green (Scott #4; $4,750.- unused, $675.- used)

-1857 6p Dark Green (Scott #5; $9,250.- unused, $1,900.- used)

-1857 1sh Reddish Purple (Scott #6; $25,000.- unused, $5,250.- used)

-1857 1sh Dull Violet (Scott #7; $25,000.- unused, $6,500.- used)

Based on the value differences between unused and used, I consider F-VF+ used examples of these stamps to be bargains.

I continue to favor all better stamps of British North America as worthy of consideration. The area is very popular among collectors of both Canada and British Commonwealth, and the better items represent solid investments, as interest in stamp collecting in Canada is much stronger than it is in the U.S. .


With a population of about 31 million, Canada is one of the world's wealthiest countries, and is one of the world's top ten trading nations. GDP growth has averaged 2.2% over the past five years, which takes into account the 0% growth of 2009 due to the global financial crisis. Canada's population is expected to age significantly over the next decades. Canadians over 60 are projected to increase from 16.7% of the population in 2000 to 27.9% in 2025, and 30.5% in 2050. Consequently, in the future, many more Canadians will be spending time working on their stamp collections on cold winter days.

Those interested in learning about investing in stamps should read the Guide to Philatelic Investing ($5), available on Kindle and easily accessible from any computer.

Stamp Investment Tip: Newfoundland 1861 5d Reddish Brown (Scott #19)

In 1861, Newfoundland issued a 5 pence Reddish Brown stamp picturing the Crown and Heraldic Flowers of the United Kingdom (Scott #19). Only 10,000 were issued, and Scott prices it unused at $ 62.50.

Many of the better stamps of Newfoundland, including the early imperforates, were issued in modest quantities. I intend to revisit them in the future, as I am "doggedly bullish" (to badly mix metaphors) about better British North America in general. This area is very popular among collectors of both Canada and British Commonwealth, and the better items represent solid investments, as interest in stamp collecting in Canada is much stronger than it is in the U.S. .

With a population of about 31 million, Canada is one of the world's wealthiest countries, and is one of the world's top ten trading nations. GDP growth has averaged 2.2% over the past five years, which takes into account the 0% growth of 2009 due to the global financial crisis. Canada's population is expected to age significantly over the next decades. Canadians over 60 are projected to increase from 16.7% of the population in 2000 to 27.9% in 2025, and 30.5% in 2050. Consequently, in the future, many more Canadians will be spending time working on their stamp collections on cold winter days.

Those interested in joining a community of stamp investors, dealers, and collectors are welcome to join the "Stampselectors" group at Facebook. The group provides a useful venue for those who wish to buy, sell, and trade stamps, and a forum for those who wish to discuss philatelic investing and practical aspects of stamp collecting.

Stamp Investment Tip: British Columbia and Vancouver Island

British Columbia and Vancouver Island, a British colony which joined the Canadian Confederation in 1871, issued eighteen stamps between 1860 and 1869. All are scarce and worthy of consideration as investments, as the market for Canada and B.N.A. looks very bullish long-term. The Canadian provinces are particularly interesting, as they appeal to both collectors of Canada and British Commonwealth.

Quantities issued are known for some of the issues, including the 1869 Surcharged Colony Seal stamps (Scott #14-18), of which only 4,800 of each were issued. Scott '10 Catalog Values for these, unused or used, range from $ 725.- to $ 1,750.-, and covers are especially rare. The designs for these stamps were narrowly spaced when they were printed, so centering tends to by abysmal. Expect to pay a premium for stamps with the perfs clear on all four sides. Considering the low printing for this 140 year old issue, and the fact that most of these stamps are poorly centered, it is likely that no more than a few hundred of each exist in sound, Fine or better condition.

With a population of about 31 million, Canada is one of the world's wealthiest countries, and one of the world's top ten trading nations. GDP growth has averaged 2.2% over the past five years, which takes into account the 0% growth of 2009 due to the global financial crisis. Canada's population is expected to age significantly over the next decades, thereby bolstering its population of serious collectors. Canadians over 60 are projected to increase from 16.7% of the population in 2000 to 27.9% in 2025, and 30.5% in 2050. Consequently, in the future, many more Canadians will be spending time working on their stamp collections on cold winter days.

Those interested in learning more about investing in stamps are encouraged to read the "Guide to Philatelic Investing" ($5), available on Kindle, and easily accessed from any computer.