Portugal announces a new set of commemorative stamps to be issued shortly. The designs have been accepted, but the colors and values of the stamps have not yet been decided upon. Nicaragua has issued a set of postage-stamps—1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 centavos, 1, 2, 5 pesos. Also the same stamps surcharged "official." In addition, a new set of postage-due stamps—1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 50 centavos, all in orange color—and an "Officially Sealed" stamp in blue. Porto Rico has changed the colors on the current set of adhesives, thirteen stamps in all. Honduras has also just issued a new set. The Cuban Republic stamps, 2, 5,10, and 25 centavos, are sold by some of the smaller dealers.
All the above would probably come under the ban of the S.S.S.S. as unnecessary, and issued for revenue only. The work of eliminating or diminishing "speculative" stamps is very slow; but progress is steadily made, and the number of new issues during the past six months is less than the average.
J. L. Hunter.—The coin is a French 5 centimes of 1856. No premium.
H. Vaughn.—The probabilities are that the Cuban Republic stamps will be accepted by the great majority of collectors; but as yet the advanced philatelists will not admit them in their albums. They seem to me purely speculative, hence uncollectable. The $20 U.S. revenue is worth $1.50; the 24c. and 30c. War Departments are worth 50c. and 30c. respectively.
F. B. Kingsbury.—Your coin is worth 6c.
J. Schmidt.—The 24c. 1869 U.S., with reversed centre, is worth $100 if in good condition.
G. B. Snider.—The only way the number of the sheet can be known is by the printed margin of the sheet. All the stamps on a sheet are identical.
R. S. Chase, 30 Alumni Avenue, Providence, R. I., wishes to exchange stamps.
R. F. T.—Stamps printed "Marca di Bolo" are Italian Revenues. The 25c. Venezuela 1892 are common; millions were printed and used.
F. H. Horting, F. J. Wattson, D. W. Hardin.—The coins are common. No dealer would pay a premium on them, as he picks them up in the regular course of business at face value. When dealers sell they of course ask an advance on face. They have to pay rent, clerk hire, advertising, and their own living expenses.
E. L. H.—The 8d. yellow New South Wales, 1860 issue, is worth 25c. The Canada 12-1/2c., 1868, is worth 18c.
D. W. H.—The millennial stamps have not been accepted as collectable by the majority of philatelists; but, of course, that is a matter to be settled by each collector for himself.
Philatus.