Canal Zone 1939 set of 16 in steady demand

Mar 26, 2025, 8 AM

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

The Canal Zone was a 552-square-mile strip of territory under United States administration situated across the Isthmus of Panama on either side of the Panama Canal. From its inception in 1904 until 1979, the Panama Canal was engineered, constructed and operated by the United States.

The canal allows ships passage from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean, eliminating the need to sail around the southern tip of South America — a lengthy and arduous journey. From 1979 to 1999, the canal was operated jointly by the United States and Panama.

The U.S. administration issued stamps for the Canal Zone from 1904 through 1978. Canal Zone stamps are especially popular with collectors who worked or lived in the Canal Zone during its existence.

On Sept. 1, 1939, the Canal Zone issued a set of 16 postage stamps (Scott 120-135) showing scenes of the canal during its construction and its operation after it was completed. This is one of the most attractive and popular sets of Canal Zone stamps. We first tipped this set in the Jan. 1, 2007, Stamp Market Tips column, and it has been in steady demand ever since.

The Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers values the set in very fine grade and mint, never-hinged condition at $162.75. A set in fine-very fine grade without gum creases or faults and in mint, never-hinged condition is a good buy around $130. Sets in very fine grade are much harder to find and are worth buying at full Scott catalog value.

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