Stamp Investment Tip: Norway 1922-23 Postage Dues (Scott #J7-12)

In 1922 and '23, Norway issued a set of postage due stamps, slightly different in design from the earlier issue of 1889-1914 in that they were inscribed "a betale" (Scott #J7-12). Only 45,000 sets were issued, and Scott '11 values the unused set at $137.50 ($412.50 for NH).

Since these were just plain old boring postage due stamps, it is very likely that the vast majority were simply used and discarded. Scarce postage due issues from countries with good prospects often prove to be sleepers for this very reason. Nobody cares about dull, utilitarian back-of-book stamps until a significant stamp market develops for a particular country, and then stamp collectors realize that the last pages of their albums are starving, and need to be fed.

A Michel-listed Pale Blue color variety of the 40 ore stamp exists (Mi. #10b), of which only 1,700 were issued. The normal Deep Blue stamp catalogs at $12.- for unused in Scott ($37 for NH), whereas the 2009-10 Michel Catalog values the variety, unused, at 300.- Euros . Keep an eye out for the variety, as it's quite possible you'll stumble on it listed and priced as the normal stamp by an unsophisticated dealer who has not ventured beyond Planet Scott. I'd advise purchasing the variety conditional on getting it expertized should you buy it on a more saintly basis, so as to avoid getting stuck with a bleached-out chemical changeling of the normal stamp.
But if you happen to stumble upon the variety legitimately used on an envelope in a dealer's cheap cover box, then I suggest that you buy a bunch of worthless covers along with it to camouflage your find. Legally exploiting a stamp dealer's ignorance can be alot of fun, but sometimes requires a little finesse.

With just under 5 million people, Norway is one of the most prosperous nations in the world due in part to huge reserves of oil and natural gas, and has a high population of "serious" stamp collectors, on par with other northern European nations. Scandinavia is often collected as a region, and is popular among collectors in Europe and the U.S., which, incidentally, has about 12 million Scandinavian Americans.

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: Finland 1885 10m Brown and Rose (Scott #37)

In 1885, Finland issued a set of definitives picturing its coat of arms (Scott #31-37). Only 7,500 of the 10m high value (Scott #37) were issued, and Scott '10 values it at $ 625.00 for both unused and used. Many were probably used on parcels and then discarded. This is a truly scarce stamp, and its design is distinguishable from the more common 1890 10m Brown and Rose (Scott #45), in that #37 has the number "10" in all four corners.

I recommend consideration of all better stamps of Scandinavia. There are many collectors in Europe and the U.S. who focus on these countries as a group, and the scarcer classic items represent a solid conservative investment.


Finland, a nation of 5.3 million people, has a highly industrialized free-market economy focused largely on manufacturing. GDP growth has averaged about 3.6% annually over the last 5 years, although it declined recently due to the global financial crisis, and is now recovering. Finland's stamp collecting population is comparable to other Scandinavian countries, and will probably grow significantly as the nation ages over the next decades.

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 discuss philatelic investing and practical aspects of stamp collecting.