Finland: Bargains: Scott #4-13: 1860-1875 "Serpentines"
These bargain-priced stamps are attractive, but many have described hidden flaws. You can save a tremendous amount of money when you add such stamps to your collection. Each stamp is one of a kind, so please let me know if I may substitute a different example (that looks as good or better, for the same cost) if the stamp you order has sold. If you have any doubts, all are available for approval viewing. If you are seeking stamps of this quality and price level from any of the Scandinavian countries, just send along your want list -- I will be happy to send bargains on approval. Scott numbers have been used unless otherwise stated.
Scott #7, Facit #6v3C3 [1866 (this paper 1873-1875) 8 penni, Roulette III, Ordinary Yellow-Green Paper] Used, extremely well centered, with VF-XF overall appearance, with just a couple minor tooth problems. The bottom tooth on the left side is partially missing (but it is not noticeable) and two teeth have been expertly repaired. The overall all appearance is of "full teeth". There is a very neat single-thin-line pen cancel. This example is borderline into Roulette III; the bottom teeth may have been made with a different device (there was more than one device in use at the time and perhaps more than one person doing the work) and almost looks like the scarcer Roulette II at the bottom -- but it must be described as Roulette III. A very fresh and attractive example that is much nicer looking than most examples one encounters. (Scott 2025 value $160.)
ACTUAL item.
59.00
249682
Scott #10 [1866 40 penni, Roulette III, Stamp Type I (normal), Normal Paper] Used, with VF+ centering and VF overall appearance. This example has only one missing tooth, but has the usual creased teeth and a small pinhole (only visible from the reverse). Extremely light cancellations -- both black and blue. A nice looking example at a very low price. (Scott 2025 value $60.)
ACTUAL item.
9.00
248702
13 [10p Laid Paper, Roulette III] Used with F-VF centering and unusual "squiggle" pen cancellation. A few short teeth at top -- typical for the Serpentine stamp issues -- but no other defects. The pen cancellation may be distinctive enough that it might be possible to determine where it was canceled; some of these pen cancellations can be traced to a specific postal clerk or postmaster. An attractive example; if it had 100% full teeth it would be around $300 but such examples are "rare".
ACTUAL item.
75.00
248703
13a [10p Laid Paper, Roulette II] Used with F-VF centering and extremely light cancellation. Some of the usual short teeth. The teeth on the right side are not fully cut out particular (this stamp -- and many of the Roulette II of this denomination -- is on remarkably thick paper, thus much greater pressure was required to fully cut the teeth out). The "pizza cutter" type of cutting wheel that was used was completely manually operated and required a lot of pressure -- when not enough pressure was applied, this incomplete cutting was the result. A very nice looking stamp, especially with such a light cancellation. If this had 100% full teeth it would be around $300 but such examples are "rare".
ACTUAL item.
75.00
248700
13a [10p Laid Paper, Roulette II] Used with Fine centering and extremely light cancellation, but one pulled tooth on right side. Has the usual tooth problems, but on the right side, the teeth were not fully cut and thus the cuttings are removed (resulting in the pulled tooth as shown in the website image). The "pizza cutter" type of cutting wheel that was used was completely manually operated and required a lot of pressure -- when not enough pressure was applied, this incomplete cutting was the result. Overall a nice looking stamp, especially with such a light cancellation. If not for the one pulled tooth, this would be $70; if it had 100% full teeth it would be around $300 but such examples are "rare".
ACTUAL item.