[Ill.u.s.tration: STAMPS]
This Department is conducted in the interest of stamp and coin collectors, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on these subjects so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor Stamp Department.
Thirty years ago there were probably fifty coin-collectors where there is one to-day. As a consequence coins have now little value unless they are, first, coins of great rarity; or, second, scarce coins in absolutely uncirculated condition, or "mint state."
Dealers in coins whom I have questioned say that there is very little demand, and that in many instances they sell coins now at a lower price than they would have paid for them a generation ago. Further, if coins could be sold as quickly as stamps, they could afford to sell them at an even lower price. As it is, the interest on the capital locked up in stock and the cost of doing business are so large, that they make very little profit. The common obsolete coins (except U. S.) are bought by the dealers at the price of old metal. There is no money in collecting coin, but lots of fun.
JOS. GOLDSMITH.--The green 5c. Confederate unused is sold by dealers at 50c. The value of common stamps by the million depends on the a.s.sortment. If there is a fair quant.i.ty of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 15c., etc., they bring a good price. For 1c. and 2c.
only there is little demand. Dealers" addresses are not given in this column.
HELEN MACKAY.--The used 3d. Canada unperforated is quoted in catalogues at 20c. on wove paper, $1 on laid paper, $1.50 on ribbed paper.
L. M. I.--The current blue special-delivery is printed from the same dies as the previous blue, but the lines have been deepened and two cross lines added under the words TEN and CENTS.
WILLIE K.--No premium on the coins. The stamp is the 3c. blue 1869 U. S.
G. TARLETON.--U. S. fractional currency has no value beyond face unless it is absolutely uncirculated. There ought to be a demand for these interesting war relics, but practically there is none.
Dealers sell them at a small advance over face.
D. R. O"SULLIVAN.--There is no premium on the coins mentioned.
Rare coins if worn by use have very little value. High prices are paid for rare coins if in "mint state," that is the condition when the coins are new and uncirculated.
A. E. BARRON, Tarrytown, N. Y., wants to correspond and trade with stamp-collectors. He has the beginning of a good collection.
H. B. THAW.--The Bloods Penny Post is catalogued at 50c. There are three varieties of the Bloods Despatch worth from 15c. to $4 each.
The Adams Express is not a stamp. It is probably a trade-mark.
R. CRAIG.--State Revenues, as a rule, are collected only in the State using them. General collectors do not buy them, and consequently they are not catalogued.
A. LOWKOWSKY.--The letter-sheets will no longer be made. There are eight main varieties--series 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and the first issue without series number. They are not cla.s.sed as stamps, but as envelopes, and envelopes are not collected as generally as adhesive stamps. I believe you can buy the $3, $4, and $5 Columbian stamps at face from the Washington, D.C., Post-office.
R. G. HUGHES.--It is a Colombian revenue stamp. These stamps are not generally collected except in Colombia, and hence no value can be given. Your sketch is admirably well done.
R. MOODY.--The stamp is the 3c. 1869 U. S., and is sold by dealers at 2c. The coin has no premium.
LEWIS E. B.--If the coins are in mint condition the dealers will probably buy at a premium. If not uncirculated they are worth face only.
L. KENTON.--The coin and bank token do not command a premium.
P. B. EVANS.--The 10c. U. S. you mention is the 1861 issue if not grilled. If grilled it is the 1868 issue. Your questions as to values have been answered several times in this column. You can get a late catalogue of any dealer at a small price.
M. N.--If in mint condition the dealers will buy, otherwise they are worth face only.
ROBERT CRAIG.--Not worth more than face.
G. L. MURPHY.--Not generally collected in the U. S., hence no value can be quoted.
A. MITTEL.--The coin is probably the William III. of England. The stamp is the current 2c. postage-due.
A. BEE.--The unused U. S. and British North American Colonies stamps issued before 1865 are all advancing in price rapidly. The used stamps are also advancing, but slowly.
J. WOLFERT.--If the stamps you mention are in good condition I would advise you to sell them by auction. Rarities bring a higher price when all the big collectors compete for them. Common stamps, on the other hand, do not bring catalogue price at auction.
W. J. HOLBECK.--The Mobile 5c. blue is quoted at $7.50. If on the envelope do not take it off.
J. ADAMS.--The present $1 black U. S., it is said, will soon be printed in another color. The 8c. with triangular ornaments is on sale at many offices. No copies have yet been seen with the white-framed triangular ornaments.
FRANK T.--Almost any dealer can supply you with a complete set of the U. S. stamps (cancelled) showing die varieties between 1870-1882. It consists of the 1c., 3c., 6c., 7c., 10c., and 12c., and, counting shades, numbers about twenty stamps. Prices vary.
M. C. WRIGHT.--The best way is to go to responsible stamp-dealers, look over their stock, and take no damaged stamps at any price, however low.
ROUND TABLE.--I do not know to what "1894 penny" you refer. The dimes have no premium.
S. T. DODD.--Yes. The present issue of U. S. will probably all be printed on water-marked paper.
PHILATUS.
War-time Memories.
My grandmamma is an old lady, and lived in Atlanta, Ga., at the time Sherman and his soldiers, on their famous march to the sea, took possession of that city. She buried her plate and valuables under the house. Her husband was away in the service of the Confederate Army, and she was left alone with two or three little children.
One night two young officers came and knocked on the door, demanding admittance, which she refused. They grew angry and made some terrible threats. Grandmamma had an army musket in the house.
She told them if they didn"t desist she would fire through the door at them. After some further parley they left. But they returned the next morning and told her she was the s.p.u.n.kiest little woman they ever saw.
One day grandmamma received some fresh sausage from the country.
Presently in entered a man wearing the blue. He took those sausage and stuffed his pockets full. On the table was a large sugar-bowl, filled. He picked it up and carried it away, dipping the raw sausage in the sugar and eating it.
Finally, grandmamma obtained guards to protect the house. One cold night one of the guards was dozing in front of the fire when in stalked a huge Indian. Planting himself in front of the fire, he began to act and talk in a shocking way. The guard promptly ejected him.
Such were a few of the many experiences of my grandmother during the "times that tried men"s souls."
Correspondents wanted.
HARRY R. WHITCOMB.
UMATILLA, FLA.
On the La Viga Ca.n.a.l.
I will tell you about our big ca.n.a.l, La Viga. At the park called the "Zocalo" one takes the tram. After going through a good many dirty streets the tram lands you at the "Embarcadero," a clean spot, where you get into flat-boats that look like barges. The first town you come to is called Jamaica. Here there are lots of canoes filled with vegetables, which are very cheap indeed. Along the route you usually meet women in canoes selling tamales. These are made of corn boiled, crushed, some "chile" added, and then the whole put into cornhusks. They are good eating. The next town you come to is Santa Anita, where you get off, if you wish, eat some tamales, and drink some pulque. Leaving Santa Anita, you reach, a little way out, what used to be floating gardens--now delightful places for picnics.