Stamp Investment Tip: Zanzibar 1952 Issue (Scott #230-43)

 In 1952, Zanzibar issued a set of fourteen stamps honoring Sultan Khalifa bin Harub and the schools named after him (Scott #230-43). 42,961 sets were issued, and Scott '13 prices the unused set at $53.45 .

In 1964, Tanganyika joined Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which changed its name to the United Republic of Tanzania in 1965. While it is likely that in the near-term, British Commonwealth collectors will generate most of the demand for stamps of Zanzibar, should a significant stamp collecting community develop within Tanzania, the undervalued stamps of the former protectorate will skyrocket.

Tanzania has a population of about 43 million, and its economy is mostly based on agriculture, which accounts for more than half of the GDP, provides about 75% of exports, and employs approximately 75% of the workforce. Topography and climate, though, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. The nation has many natural resources including minerals, natural gas, and tourism, and the government has instituted policies to promote development of these sectors. Annual GDP growth has averaged about 6.5% over the last 5 years.

Those interested in becoming part of an international community of stamp collectors, dealers, and investors are welcome to join the "Stampselectors" group page at Facebook. The page hosts lively discussions concerning stamp investment and practical aspects of collecting, and is an excellent venue for those who wish to buy, sell, or trade stamps. 

Stamp Investment Tip: Zanzibar 1904 Monogram (Scott #79-93)

  In 1904, Zanzibar, then a British protectorate, issued a set of fifteen stamps picturing the monogram of Sultan Ali bin Hamoud (Scott #79-93). While printing quantity information is unavailable for this set, I estimate that fewer than 5,000 were issued. Scott '13 prices the unused set at $318.75.

In 1964, Tanganyika joined Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which changed its name to the United Republic of Tanzania in 1965. While it is likely that in the near-term, British Commonwealth collectors will generate most of the demand for stamps of Zanzibar, should a significant stamp collecting community develop within Tanzania, the undervalued stamps of the former protectorate will skyrocket.

Tanzania has a population of about 43 million, and its economy is mostly based on agriculture, which accounts for more than half of the GDP, provides about 75% of exports, and employs approximately 75% of the workforce. Topography and climate, though, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. The nation has many natural resources including minerals, natural gas, and tourism, and the government has instituted policies to promote development of these sectors. Annual GDP growth has averaged about 6.5% over the last 5 years.

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.

Stamp Investment Tip: Zanzibar 1904 Surcharges (Scott #94-98)

In 1904, the British created a surcharged set (Scott #94-98) for Zanzibar, which was then a British protectorate, by overprinting some of the stamps from the 1899-1901 Sultan Seyyid Hamoud-bin-Mahommed-bin-Said set (Scott #62-78). Only 2,619 of the surcharged set were issued, and Scott '12 prices it unused set at $ 313.75.

While I sometimes advise obtaining certificates on overprinted stamps, expertization is not necessary in this case, because there is not enough of a price difference between the basic stamps and the surcharges to make it worthwhile.

In 1964, Tanganyika joined Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which changed its name to the United Republic of Tanzania in 1965. While it is likely that in the near-term, British Commonwealth collectors will generate most of the demand for stamps of Zanzibar, should a significant stamp collecting community develop within Tanzania, the undervalued stamps of the former protectorate will skyrocket.

Tanzania has a population of about 43 million, and its economy is mostly based on agriculture, which accounts for more than half of the GDP, provides about 75% of exports, and employs approximately 75% of the workforce. Topography and climate, though, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. The nation has many natural resources including minerals, natural gas, and tourism, and the government has instituted policies to promote development of these sectors. Annual GDP growth has averaged about 6.5% over the last 5 years.