Stamp Investment Tip: Jordan 1930 Locust Campaign Issue (Scott #B1-12)

  In 1930, Jordan, then a British Mandate Territory, overprinted some of the stamps from its 1927-29 Amir Abdullah ibn Hussein issue to produce a set of twelve semi-postal stamps to raise funds to help combat a plague of locusts (Scott #B1-12). Only 1,802 sets were issued, and Scott '12 prices the unused set at $235.90   .

 Though in many cases I recommend obtaining expertization of better overprinted stamps, it isn't necessary in this case, because the difference in value between the basic stamps and the overprinted ones is not significant. However, there are four overprint varieties within the set that should be purchased conditional on obtaining expertization - the 2m and 15m inverted overprints (Scott #B1a and B6a), the 5m double overprint (Scott #B4a), and the 500m 'C' of "Locust" omitted variety (Scott #B12a). While quantities issued of these variety is unavailable, it is likely that a few hundred of the first three and fewer than fifty of B12a were issued.

The better stamps of the Mandate period have dual market appeal to collectors of British Commonwealth and Jordan.

 Jordan is a small country of 6.3 million people with limited natural resources. Nevertheless, it is an emerging market nation, largely due to its liberal economic policies and relative political stability compared to many of its neighbors, and it has maintained an annual GDP growth of 5% -6% over the last 5 years. Currently, its main industries are fertilizers, tourism, and banking, but it also has a developing "knowledge economy," which is contributing to its nascent aerospace, defense, pharmaceutical, and ICT sectors.

Stamp Investment Tip: Jordan 1933 Scenes (Scott #185-98)

In 1933, Jordan (then a British Mandate territory known as Trans-Jordan), issued an attractive scenes set (Scott #185-98). All of the stamps but the top 1 pound value (Scott #198), which portrayed Amir Abdullah ibn Hussein, featured sites of historic and cultural interest. Most of the set's value is in #198, as only 1,095 were issued. Scott '11 values the unused set at $901.60, and #198 at $600.00 .


I recommend purchase of either the complete set or the high value alone. The better stamps of the Mandate period have dual market appeal to collectors of British Commonwealth and Jordan.

Jordan is a small country of 6.3 million people with limited natural resources. Nevertheless, it is an emerging market nation, largely due to its liberal economic policies and relative political stability compared to many of its neighbors, and it has maintained an annual GDP growth of 5% -6% over the last 5 years. Currently, its main industries are fertilizers, tourism, and banking, but it also has a developing "knowledge economy," which is contributing to its nascent aerospace, defense, pharmaceutical, and ICT sectors.

Stamp Investment Tip: Jordan 1927-29 Amir Abdullah Issue (Scott #145-57)

Between 1927 and 1929, Jordan, then a British Mandate territory, issued a set of thirteen definitives honoring Amir Abdullah ibn Hussein, the grandfather of the current king (Scott #145-57). Only 1,634 sets were issued, and Scott '10 prices the unused set at $317.00. The set represents an excellent bet on the growth of the Jordanian economy.

Jordan is a small country of 6.3 million people with limited natural resources. Nevertheless, it is an emerging market nation, largely due to its liberal economic policies and relative political stability compared to many of its neighbors, and has maintained an annual GDP growth of 5% -6% over the last 5 years. Currently, its main industries are fertilizers, tourism, and banking, but it also has a developing "knowledge economy," which is contributing to its nascent aerospace, defense, pharmaceutical, and ICT sectors.

Those interested in finding 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 discuss philatelic investing and practical aspects of stamp collecting.

Stamp Investment Tips: Jordan 1966 King Hussein Issue (Scott #528-28M,C43-45)

In 1966, Jordan issued a compound set of seventeen stamps honoring King Hussein (Scott # 528-28M, C43-45). Most of the 20,000 sets issued were used as postage, and Scott '10 prices the unused set at $ 44.65.


Jordan is a small country of 6.3 million people with limited natural resources. Nevertheless, it is an emerging market nation, largely due to its liberal economic policies and relative political stability compared to many of its neighbors, and has maintained an annual GDP growth of 5% -6% over the last 5 years. Currently, its main industries are fertilizers, tourism, and banking, but it also has a developing "knowledge economy," which is contributing to its nascent aerospace, defense, pharmaceutical, and ICT sectors.


I consider it prudent for stampselectors to consider not only the more "prestigious," pricey issues for investment, but also overlooked, inexpensive sets with low printings from emerging market countries. Such sets may seem speculative, but in fact, the risk of loss is quite low, and when the stamp market favors a particular country, the inexpensive issues tend to rise quickly, because of their affordability to most collectors.