Hobbies And Interests
Collecting
According to the American Philatelic Society (APS), people collect stamps for a variety of reasons. They may like the designs, or they may want to acquire all the stamps from one country. In general, however, people like to collect stamps because no collection is ever complete. This makes it a constant challenge to improve their collections and share a common interest with friends. However, there are people who engage in stamp collecting as an investment, and it is considered a valid way to make money.
Value
What makes a stamp valuable is not necessarily based on its age, but on its rarity. The American Philatelic Society says that a stamp's value is determined by the quantity available, the demand and its condition. Approximate values, for both mint and used items, can be obtained from a stamp catalogue. Mint stamps are in their original state of issue, that have not been used and have their full gum intact.
Age
There is no particular time when a stamp is old enough to become valuable. Stamps are valuable based on their condition, availability and demand, which may be relevant to their age only in the sense that they have been valuable over time because of their other valuable qualities. If a stamp is old, but there are many of them on the stamp market or it's not in good condition, then there won't be any inherent value based on its age. Another element adding to a stamp's value is the history behind it.
Most Valuable
Among the rarest and most valuable stamps, according to the APS, is a 1 cent 1856 British Guiana stamp, which sold for $935,000 in 1980. An 1857 Swedish 3 skilling Banco Yellow is worth approximately $2,000,000. An 1851 Hawaiian Islands 2 cent Missionary is valued at $660,000 unused, $200,000 used, and an 1868 U.S. 1 cent Z Grill sold for $935,000 in 1988. A U.S. 1918 Inverted Jenny is valued at $150,000 unused.