Stamp Investment Tip: U.S. 1993-Present Junior Duck Stamps (Scott #JDS 1-21)

  The U.S. Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program held its first national art contest and issued its first Junior Duck Stamp in 1993, and it has gradually increased in popularity among Duck stamp collectors ever since. More than 27,000 students enter Junior Duck Stamp art contests each year.  It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of students have been educated on the importance of waterfowl and wetlands conservation.  The winning design from the national contest is used to create the Junior Duck Stamp for the following year. Proceeds from the sale of Junior Duck Stamp support conservation education, and provide awards and scholarships for the students, teachers and schools that participate in the program.

   Technically, these stamps are cinderellas. Unlike the regular Federal, State, and Tribal Duck Stamps, the Junior Duck Stamps do not license hunters, but are issued solely as collectibles. Though I seldom recommend cinderellas as investments, the growing popularity of these stamps renders them an exception to this rule.

  I wish to thank the Federal Duck Stamp Office for has generously providing me with information as to "minimum quantities sold" for these stamps, which may be considered to be slightly less than the actual quantities sold. For certain years, no information is available, and it should be noted that the stamps are available for purchase from them for three years after issuance, so those issued from 2011 on are still being sold. I've listed these stamps, their quantities issued, and their Scott '14 Catalog Values, below:

• 1993 $5 Redhead (#JDS1 - Unknown; CV = $85.-)
• 1994 $5 Hooded Merganser (#JDS2 - Unknown; CV = $200.-)
• 1995 $5 Northern Pintail (#JDS3 - 2,493; CV = $450.-)
• 1996 $5 Canvasback (#JDS4 - 2,783 ; CV = $550.-)
• 1997 $5 Canada Goose (#JDS5 - 2,804; CV = $500.-)
• 1998 $5 Black Duck (#JDS6 - 223; CV = $500.- )
• 1999 $5 Wood Duck (#JDS7 - Unknown; CV = $ 525.-)
• 2000 $5 Northern Pintail (#JDS8 - Unknown; CV = $350.-)
• 2001 $5 Trumpeter Swan (#JDS9 - 18,928; CV = $85.-)
• 2002 $5 Mallard (#JDS10 - 21,667; CV = $55.-)
• 2003 $5 Green-winged Teal (#JDS11 - 21,466; CV = $35.-)
• 2004 $5 Whistling Duck (#JDS12 - 25,035; CV = $27.50)
• 2005 $5 Ring-necked Duck (#JDS13 - 28,456; CV = $25.-)
• 2006 $5 Redhead (#JDS14 - 27,720; CV = $15.-)
• 2007 $5 American Widgeon (#JDS15 - 17,567; CV = $12.-)
• 2008 $5 Nene (#JDS16 - 31,499; CV = $12.-)
• 2009 $5 Wood Duck (#JDS17 - 21,389; CV = $12.-)
• 2010 $5 Hooded Merganser (#JDS18 - 30,519; CV = $10.-)
• 2011 $5 Ring-necked Duck (#JDS19 - 15,486; CV = $10.-)
• 2012 $5 Northern Pintail (#JDS20 - Unknown; CV = $ 10.-)
• 2013 $5 Canvasback (#JDS21 -  Unknown; CV - $10.- )

  From a philatelic investment perspective, the Duck Stamp collecting community is interesting because it represents an atypical crossover market which includes collectors of  U.S. stamps in general, U.S. Revenues, Duck hunting collectibles and Wildlife art. Because revenues from the sales of the stamps are used to purchase and protect wildlife habitats, it may be considered a "green" collectible, and Duck stamp collecting is actively promoted by the Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service. I estimate that currently there are between 8,000 to 10,000 "serious" Duck stamp collectors in the U.S., and many others who buy them to them to fill spaces in their general U.S. albums.

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: U.S. 1946-50 Migratory Waterfowl Stamps with Plate Number on Reverse of Selvedge (Scott #RW13-17var.)

The fact that knowledge is power applies to many aspects of life, and it especially holds true when it comes to the market for collectibles, including stamps. One of the most exciting aspects of the hobby is that every once in a while, one may find scarce varieties priced as normal stamps.

Beginning in 1946, the U.S. Department of the Interior issued Migratory Waterfowl Hunting Permit Stamps, otherwise known as Duck Stamps,
with messages on the back (gum side) of the stamps instructing hunters to sign them on the front. From 1946 to 1950 (for Scott #RW13-17), "PL. 47510" (Plate #47510) was printed on the back of the selvedge attached to one stamp in each sheet (Position 24 on the upper right pane).

The Duck stamps of this period were issued in sheets of 4 panes, each of which contained 28 stamps. Hence, for each of these five issues, only one out of every 112 stamps was attached to the selvedge bearing the plate number printed on the gum side. Until recently, these stamps were ignored by the vast majority of duck stamp collectors, who now collect them as plate blocks of six and plate number singles. Album publishers also ignored the varieties. I've discussed these stamps with several dealers who specialize in duck stamps, and the consensus among them is that perhaps 2%-4% of the initial quantity remain, at most. The Scott U.S. Specialized Catalog describes and prices the plate blocks of these stamps in a note following RW12.

I've listed the five stamps, along with the Scott '11 values for Plate Blocks of 6, the quantities issued for each stamp and the positional variety, and the estimated range of quantities remaining below:

• 1946 $1 Redhead Ducks (RW13) - 2,816,041 issued; $550.00 ; 25,143 vars. issued; Est. 500-1,000 remain;
• 1947 $1 Snow Geese (RW14) - 1,722,677 issued; $550.00 ; 15,381 vars. issued; Est. 300-600 remain;
• 1948 $1 Buffleheads (RW15) - 2,127,603 issued; $550.00 ; 18,996 vars. issued; Est. 375-750 remain;
• 1949 $2 Goldeneye Ducks (RW16) - 1,954,734 issued; $550.00 ; 17,453 vars. issued; Est. 350-700 remain;
• 1950 $2 Trumpeter Swans (RW17) - 1,903,644 issued; $1,500.00 ; 16,997 vars. issued; Est. 350-700 remain;

I believe these positional varieties to be an excellent investment if purchased at their current catalog values, and advise collectors to keep a lookout for the varieties priced as the normal stamps by dealers who are ignorant of them.

The Duck Stamp collecting community is interesting because it represents an atypical crossover market which includes collectors of general U.S. stamps and U.S. Revenues, along with collectors of Duck hunting memorabilia and Wildlife art. Because the sales of the stamps protect wildlife habitats, it may be considered a "green" collectible, and Duck stamp collecting is actively promoted by the Fish and Wildlife Service. There are currently about 8,000 to 10,000 "serious" Duck stamp collectors in the U.S., and many others who buy them to them to fill spaces in their general U.S. albums.

I wish to thank Bob Dumaine, President of Sam Houston Philatelics, for providing much of the information used in this article.


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

Stamp Investment Tip: U.S. 2005 $15 Mini-sheet (RW72b)

In 2005, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued the first Duck Stamp Mini-sheet (Scott #RW72b). The sheet was issued with little fanfare, and most Duck Stamp collectors did not even realize that it even existed until it had sold out. 1,000 mini-sheets were issued and signed by the artist, and Scott '12 prices the unused sheet at $2,000.00.

This is, by far, the scarcest Duck stamp item ever issued by the Federal Government, and will probably remain a key for some time to come.

The Duck Stamp collecting community is interesting because it represents an atypical crossover market which includes collectors of general U.S. stamps, U.S. Revenues, Duck hunting collectibles and Wildlife art. Because revenues from the sales of the stamps are used to purchase and protect wildlife habitats, it may be considered a "green" collectible, and Duck stamp collecting is actively promoted by the Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service. I estimate that currently there are between 8,000 to 10,000 "serious" Duck stamp collectors in the U.S., and many others who buy them to them to fill spaces in their general U.S. albums.

Coincidentally, the Scott value of the sheet and the price of an ounce of gold are about the same. However, over time, humans have produced about 10 billion ounces of gold, enough to fill a cube 82 feet on each side, while there are only 1,000 of RW72b, enough to comprise a small stack the thickness of a few decks of cards. And, of course, there is plenty more gold to be found, especially if there are advances in mining and refining technology. One might well ask: which investment will glitter more, over the long-term?

I wish to thank Bob Dumaine, President of Sam Houston Philatelics, for providing much of the information used in this article.


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

Stamp Investment Tip: U.S. 1934-38 Migratory Bird Hunting Stamps (Scott #RW1-5)

I'm initiating coverage of U.S. Migratory Bird Hunting Stamps, popularly known as "Duck Stamps", because I believe that Duck stamp collectors represent a unique and growing niche market offering opportunities for the philatelic investor.

Ducks stamps are tax stamps which are sold to hunters annually to license the hunting of ducks and other migratory waterfowl. The revenues obtained from their sale are used to purchase wetlands. The stamps have been around since 1934, and the first was designed by Jay Norwood "Ding" Darling, a Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist and prominent conservationist. Since 1949, the Department of the Interior has chosen the stamp designs via a contest, in which thousands of wildlife artists enter their proposed designs. Those who win are entitled to sell prints, which are sought by both stamp collectors and art collectors.

Within the U.S., Duck stamps are issued by the Federal government (the Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service), by states, and by some Indian tribal organizations. Since 1995, the Fish and Wildlife Service has also issued "Junior Duck Stamps", for which the designs are chosen by a nationwide contest in which students in Kindergarten through the 12th grade may participate. While Junior Duck Stamps have no validity as tax stamps and might strictly be considered labels, they do promote interest in Duck stamps in general, and have become very popular among collectors.

The Duck Stamp collecting community is interesting because it represents an atypical crossover market which includes collectors of general U.S. stamps and U.S. Revenues, along with collectors of Duck hunting memorabilia and Wildlife art. Because the sales of the stamps protect wildlife habitats, it may be considered a "green" collectible, and Duck stamp collecting is actively promoted by the Fish and Wildlife Service. I estimate that currently there are between 8,000 to 10,000 "serious" Duck stamp collectors in the U.S., and many others who buy them to them to fill spaces in their general U.S. albums.

I recommend purchase of the first five Duck Stamps (Scott #RW1-5) in F-VF or better, LH or NH condition. These were issued from 1934 to 1938 by the Department of Agriculture (the Interior Department took over the operation in 1939), and they were sold at post offices. Each of the stamps cost $1.00, which was a lot of money during the Depression, when the unemployment rate rose as high as 22% and the average earnings of an American family were about $1,400 per year. Quantities issued of these stamps ranged from 635,000 to just over 1 million, and the Scott '12 values for unused range from $ 225.00 to $400.00 ($ 425.00 to $ 800.00 for NH). However, it it is likely that very few were collected mint, partly because of the expense, and also because at the time, the post offices were instructed to sell only one Duck stamp per customer.

Hunters used the stamps by affixing them to licenses, and sometimes "canceling" the stamps by signing their names on them. Frequently, Duck stamps offered as "unused, no gum", or "unused, regummed" are often just used stamps which were not signed, so it's best to purchase the gummed stamps, and should there be any question as to the authenticity of the gum, obtain a certificate. Graded certificates have become de rigueur for better Duck stamps in premium condition, so if purchasing a nice one, I suggest obtaining a cert. from the Professional Stamp Experts (P.S.E.).


I wish to thank Bob Dumaine, President of Sam Houston Philatelics, for providing much of the information used in this article.