To learn more about each part of the listing,
please click on one of the numbers in the diagram below
Scott Number
Scott catalogue numbers are used to identify specific items when buying, selling, or trading stamps. Each listed postage stamp from every country has a unique Scott catalogue number. Therefore, Germany Scott 99, for example, can only refer to a single stamp. Although the Scott catalogue usually lists stamps in chronological order by date of issue, there are exceptions. When a country has issued a set of stamps over a period of time, those stamps within the set are kept together without regard to date of issue. This follows the normal collecting approach of keeping stamps in their natural sets. When a country issues a set of stamps over a period of time, a group of consecutive catalogue numbers is reserved for the stamps in that set, as issued. If that group of numbers proves to be too few, capital letter suffixes, such as "A" or "B," may be added to existing numbers to create enough catalogue numbers to cover all items in the set. A capital letter suffix indicates a major Scott catalogue number listing. Scott uses a suffix letter only once. Therefore, a catalogue number listing with a capital-letter suffix will not also be found with the same letter (lower case) used as a minor-letter listing. If there is a Scott 16A in a set, for example, there will not also be a Scott 16a. Scott numbers designating regular postage normally are not preceded by a prefix. Scott numbers for other types of stamps, such as air post, semi-postal, postal tax, postage due, official and others have a prefix consisting of one or more capital letters or an alpha-numeric combination. Examples of Catalogue listing prefixes Semi-Postal B Postage Due J Parcel Post Q Air Post C Military M Special Handling QE Special Delivery E War Tax MA Revenue R Registration F Occupation N Postal Tax RA Insured Letter G Official O Franchise S Acknowledgment of Receipt H Newspaper P
Scott Illustration Number
Illustration or design-type numbers are used to identify each catalogue illustration. For most sets, the lowest face-value stamp is shown. It then serves as an example of the basic design approach for other stamps not illustrated. Where more than one stamp uses the same illustration number, but has differences in design, the design paragraph or the description line clearly indicates the design on each stamp not illustrated. Where there are both vertical and horizontal designs in a set, a single illustration may be used, with the exceptions noted in the design paragraph or description line. When an illustration is followed by a lower-case letter in parentheses, such as "A2(b)," the trailing letter indicates which overprint or surcharge illustration applies. Illustrations normally are 75 percent of the original size of the stamp. Virtually all souvenir sheet illustrations are reduced more. Overprints and surcharges are shown at 100 percent of their original size unless otherwise noted.
Paper Color
The color of a stamp's paper is noted in italic type when the paper used is not white.
Listing Style
There are two principal types of catalogue listings: major and minor. Major listings are in a large type style than minor listings. The catalogue number is a numeral that can be found with or without a capital-letter suffix, and with or without a prefix. Minor listings are in a smaller type style and have a small letter suffix or (if the listing immediately follows that of the major number) may show only the letter. These listings identify a variety of the major item. Examples include perforation, color, watermark or printing method differences, multiples (some souvenir sheet, booklet pane and se-tenant combinations), and singles of multiples. Examples of major listings include 16, 28A, B97, C13A, 10N5, and 10N6A. Examples of minor variety listings include 16a, 279Bc and C3a.
Basic Information about a stamp or set
Introducing each stamp issue is a small section (usually a single bold line listing) of basic information about a stamp or set. This section normally includes the date of issue, method of printing, perforation, watermark and, sometimes, some additional information of note. Printing method, perforation and watermark apply to the following sets until a change is noted. Stamps created by overprinting or surcharging previous issues are assumed to have the same perforation, watermark and printing method as the original. Dates of issue are as precise as Scott is able to confirm and often reflect the dates on first-day covers, rather than the actual date of release.
Denomination
This normally refers to the face value of the stamp; that is, the cost of the unused stamp at the post office at the time of issue. When a denomination is shown in parentheses, it does not appear on the stamp. This includes the non-denominated stamps of the United States, Great Britain, and Brazil, for example.
Color
This area provides information to solidify identification of a stamp. In many recent cases, a description of the stamp design appears in this space, rather than a listing of colors.
Year of Issue
In stamp sets that have been released in a period that spans more than a year, the number shown in parentheses is the year that stamp first appeared. Stamps without a date appeared during the first year of issue. Dates are not always given for minor varieties.
Catalogue Values
The Scott catalogue value is a retail value; that, is an amount you could expect to pay for a stamp in the grade of Very Fine with no faults. Any exceptions to the grade valued will be noted in the text of the catalogue. The value listed for any given stamp is a reference that reflects recent actual dealer selling prices for that item. Scott Publishing Co. values stamps, but Scott is not a company engaged in the business of buying and selling stamps as a dealer. Unused values refer to items that have not seen postal, revenue or any other duty for which they were intended. Pre-1900 unused stamps that were issued with gum must have at least most of their original gum. Later issues are assumed to have full original gum. From breakpoints specified in most countries' listings, stamps are valued as never hinged. Stamps issued without gum are noted. Modern issues with PVA or other synthetic adhesives may appear ungummed. Self-adhesive stamps are valued as appearing undisturbed on their original backing paper. For a more detailed explanation of these values, please see the "Catalogue Value," "Condition" and "Understanding Valuing Notations" sections in the introduction of a Scott Catalogue. In some cases, where used stamps are more valuable than unused stamps, the value is for an example with a contemporaneous cancel, rather than a modern cancel or a smudge or other unclear marking. For those stamps that were released for postal and fiscal purposes, the used value represents a postally used stamp. Stamps with revenue cancels generally sell for less. The Scott catalogue values are intended as a guide for buying and selling stamps. The actual price you pay for a stamp may be higher or lower than the catalogue value because of many different factors, including the amount of personal service a dealer offers, or increased or decreased interest in the country or topic represented by the stamp or set.
Changes in basic set information
Bold type is used to show any changes in the basic data given for a set of stamps. This includes perforation differences from one stamp to the next or a different paper, printing method or watermark.
Total value of a set
The total value of sets of three or more stamps issued after 1900 are shown. The set line also notes the range of Scott numbers and total number of stamps included in the grouping. Set value is the term used to indicate the value of a stamp set when its combined total is less than the sum of the individual stamps. This happens when some of the stamps in a set have the minimum catalogue value.