What is a penny lilac stamp 1884 worth?

Answer 1

Presumably you mean the Penny Lilac issued in 1881 and in use from 1881 to 1901.

The value depends upon several criteria:

1. The Die used to produce the stamp - Die I has 14 dots in each corner; Die II has 16 dots. Die I stamps are usually more valuable than their Die II equivalent.

2. The circulation condition - unmounted mint stamps (exactly as issued by the post office) are usually more valuable than their mounted mint (hinged) equivalent, which in turn are usually more valuable than their used equivalent.

3. Condition - undamaged stamps are more valuable than their damaged equivalent.

Thus an umounted mint 14-dot stamp in pristine condition is likely to be worth many times more than a 16-dot used stamp in poor condition etc.

In addition to these general guidelines, other criteria may influence the value i.e. whether the watermark is upright or inverted etc. Furthermore, some used stamps may have been cancelled (used postally) with a scarce postmark and may be much more valuable than normal.

The current market shows an average used 16-dot stamp (reasonably good condition) being likely to sell for less than £1.00.