Nigeria SC#488-489 1986 Definitives, 12 VFNH Singles, A Specialized Group On Different Papers & Colors, Click on Listing to See ALL Pictures, Estimated Value $10 USD

12 VFNH singles from the 1986 Definitives, a specialized group on different papers & colors. The lot includes for the 1Ks: 1) DF/LF gray & gray black inscription, red ball, 2) DF/MF black inscription, orangy red ball & 3) black inscription, orange red ball & gray/deep gray backgrounds. And for the 2K; 1) DF/HF - deep blue panel, jet black floor, 2) DF/LF lighter blue panel, black floor, 3) DF/F lighter blue panel, mottled black floor, 4) DF/DF, same characteristics as #3, 5) DF/MF lighter blue, gray black floor, 6) DF/LF lighter blue,deep gray floor & 7) DF/HF, lighter blue, deep gray floor. 2017 Scott cat. $4.8. Our estimate of the value based on the condition is $10.

Starting in 1975, all Nigerian stamp issues are watermarked with the word "Nigeria" that repeats in wavy lines. It appears that no attention whatsoever was paid to the orientation of the paper in the press, so that inverted watermarks appear to be just as common as upright ones. I have not seen any reversed watermarks or inverted and reversed watermarks. Sideways watermarks are common on the vertical format stamps, but I have not seen them on horizontal format stamps. Consequently I have not made any attempt to describe the orientation of the watermarks.

This definitive issue is found with many, many variations in paper fluorescence, mostly as seen from the back. The ink shades also vary and finally the order in which the inks have been printed varies, so that on some printings the top colour is different from the top colour on another printing. This is also an exceptionally scarce issue in mint condition: in over 10 years of daily hunting and internet buying I never found more than about 20 mint sets and I bought them all. So, the Scott Value of less than $6 for a mint set is just utterly ridiculous. The reason for the scarcity is because in Nigeria virtually all the stamps issued for postage that are not commemoratives are used up for postage. They don't have the same system for distributing new issues to post offices, nor withdrawing unsold remainders. So, a post office can be supplied with massive quantities of just one stamp from a set, and the postal clerks will sell that all of that stamp before more are ordered. I've been to Lagos and seen this in action. So, with this set, very little mint was put away and most of what you see on the market is used.