U.S. postal savings stamps attract new interest

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

Four types of postal savings stamps are listed in the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers. These stamps were issued by either the U.S. Post Office Department or the U.S. Treasury Department.

According to the Scott U.S. Specialized catalog, “Their common feature was that they all effectively acted as a means for ordinary citizens to save and/or invest incrementally a little bit at a time. At the same time, the investments effectively were loans to the federal government.”

The catalog also states: “Postal savings stamps were issued in 10¢ to $5.00 denominations and were redeemable in the form of credits to postal savings accounts. The 1911 10¢ stamps were available either as stamps or as a stamp imprint on a card to which other stamps could be added. The postal savings system was discontinued March 28, 1966.”

Many intermediate to advanced collectors are finding interest in this back-of-the-book collecting area.

A good place to start is with the 1911 10¢ orange postal savings stamp (Scott PS1). The U.S. Specialized catalog values the stamp at $8.50 in unused, hinged condition and at $17.50 in mint, never-hinged condition.

This stamp is in demand in very fine grade and in both mint, never-hinged condition and unused, hinged condition. It is a good buy at full Scott catalog value in very fine grade and in either condition.

Connect with Linn’s Stamp News: 

    Sign up for our newsletter