1894 Dowager - Lithographed Shanghai Perforated 12 - 11½ - White Thin Paper - Watermarked
The last issue of the Maritime Customs Post. Issued to commemorate the 60th birthday of Tz'u Hsi, the Empress Dowager.
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| 1 candarin | Orange Red | $15.00 | $25.00 | $18.00 | $30.00 |
| 2 candarin | Green | $15.00 | $25.00 | $18.00 | $30.00 |
| 3 candarin | Orange Yellow | $15.00 | $25.00 | $18.00 | $30.00 |
| 4 candarin | Rose Pink | $60.00 | $100.00 | $66.00 | $110.00 |
| 5 candarin | Dull Orange | $90.00 | $125.00 | $95.00 | $140.00 |
| 6 candarin | Brown | $18.00 | $30.00 | $36.00 | $60.00 |
| 9 candarin | Dull Green | $36.00 | $60.00 | $84.00 | $140.00 |
| 12 candarin | Deep Orange Yellow | $100.00 | $170.00 | $175.00 | $210.00 |
| 24 candarin | Carmine | $60.00 | $100.00 | $225.00 | $300.00 |
Dollar Currency Surcharges
In 1896, the Imperial Maritime Customs Post was changed by Imperial edict to the National Post Office of China. At the same time the monetary system was changed from the silver tael which was expressed in candarins to the silver dollar system expressed in dollars and cents. A sequence of old stamps surcharged with new values in dollars and cents followed this change while new stamps reflecting the new currency were being produced.
Issues of the Chinese Government Post - 1897 Small numeral surcharged on 1888 Small Dragons
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| 1 cent on 1 candarin | Green | $33.00 | $55.00 | $30.00 | $50.00 |
| 2 cent on 3 candarin | Lilac | $45.00 | $75.00 | $130.00 | $200.00 |
| 5 cent on 5 candarin | Greenish Yellow | $22.80 | $38.00 | $42.00 | $70.00 |
1897 Small Numeral Surcharge on Dowager
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| ½ cent on 3 candarin | Orange Yellow | $14.40 | $24.00 | $21.60 | $36.00 |
| 1 cent on 1 candarin | Vermilion | $14.40 | $24.00 | $21.60 | $36.00 |
| 2 cent on 2 candarin | Deep Green | $14.40 | $24.00 | $21.60 | $36.00 |
| 4 cent on 4 candarin | Rose Pink | $14.40 | $24.00 | $21.60 | $36.00 |
| 5 cent on 5 candarin | Dull Orange | $14.40 | $24.00 | $21.60 | $36.00 |
| 8 cent on 6 candarin | Brown | $19.20 | $32.00 | $30.00 | $50.00 |
| 10 cent on 6 candarin | Brown | $30.00 | $50.00 | $36.00 | $60.00 |
| 10 cent on 9 candarin | Deep Green | $78.00 | $130.00 | $225.00 | $375.00 |
| 10 cent on 12 candarin | Golden Yellow | $84.00 | $140.00 | $192.00 | $320.00 |
| 30 cent on 24 candarin | Deep Green | $130.00 | $190.00 | $210.00 | $350.00 |
1897 Large Numeral Surcharge 2½mm Below Chinese Characters on Dowager
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| ½ cent on 3 candarin | Lemon Yellow | $21.00 | $35.00 | $18.00 | $30.00 |
| 1 cent on 1 candarin | Pink Orange | $15.00 | $25.00 | $21.00 | $35.00 |
| 2 cent on 2 candarin | Yellow Green | $15.00 | $25.00 | $21.00 | $35.00 |
| 4 cent on 4 candarin | Pale Rose | $12.00 | $20.00 | $24.00 | $40.00 |
| 5 cent on 5 candarin | Yellow | $18.00 | $30.00 | $24.00 | $40.00 |
| 8 cent on 6 candarin | Red Brown | $160.00 | $210.00 | $240.00 | $400.00 |
| 10 cent on 9 candarin | Yellowish Green | $33.00 | $55.00 | $84.00 | $140.00 |
| 10 cent on 9 candarin | Emerald Green | $45.00 | $70.00 | $90.00 | $150.00 |
| 10 cent on 12 candarin | Pale Orange Yellow | $45.00 | $75.00 | $180.00 | $300.00 |
| 30 cent on 24 candarin | Rose Red | $150.00 | $250.00 | $275.00 | $325.00 |
1897 Large Numeral Surcharge 1½mm Below Chinese Characters on Dowager
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| ½ cent on 3 candarin | Buff | $14.40 | $24.00 | $12.00 | $20.00 |
| 1 cent on 1 candarin | Pale Vermilion | $14.40 | $24.00 | $15.00 | $25.00 |
| 2 cent on 2 candarin | Yellow Green | $14.40 | $24.00 | $15.00 | $25.00 |
| 4 cent on 4 candarin | Pink | $110.00 | $130.00 | $145.00 | $180.00 |
| 5 cent on 5 candarin | Chrome Yellow | $110.00 | $130.00 | $145.00 | $180.00 |
| 10 cent on 9 candarin | Dull Green | $72.00 | $80.00 | $90.00 | $140.00 |
| 10 cent on 12 candarin | Brown Orange | $60.00 | $100.00 | $160.00 | $200.00 |
| 30 cent on 24 candarin | Red | $3,000.00 | ... | $15,000.00 | ... |
1897 Large Numeral Surcharge 1½mm Below Chinese Characters on 1897 Re-Engraved Dowager and Small Dragons
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| 1/2 cent on 3 candarin | Yellow | $96.00 | $150.00 | $160.00 | $200.00 |
| 2 cent on 2 candarin | Green | $21.00 | $35.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
1897 Large Numeral on Small Dragon
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| 1 cent on 1 candarin | Green | $400.00 | $500.00 | $325.00 | $400.00 |
| 2 cent on 2 candarin | Lilac | $700.00 | $800.00 | $800.00 | $1,000.00 |
| 5 cent on 5 candarin | Greenish Yellow | $275.00 | $350.00 | $175.00 | $210.00 |
1897 Surcharges on 3 cent Red Revenue
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| 1 cent on 3 cent | .. | $110.00 | $150.00 | $190.00 | $320.00 |
| 1 cent on 3 cent | Large Box | $110.00 | $150.00 | $190.00 | $320.00 |
| 2 cent on 3 cent | Small | $210.00 | $350.00 | $550.00 | $700.00 |
| 2 cent on 3 cent | Large | $150.00 | $170.00 | $180.00 | $210.00 |
| 4 cent on 3 cent | .. | $6,000.00 | ... | $9,000.00 | ... |
| 4 cent on 3 cent | Large | $130.00 | $150.00 | $275.00 | $310.00 |
| $1 on 3 cent | Large | $800.00 | $1,000.00 | $1,440.00 | $2,400.00 |
| $5 on 3 cent | .. | $7,000.00 | $7,250.00 | $7,500.00 | $7,750.00 |
1897 Dragon Carp and Wild Goose - Yin-Yang Watermark - Lithographed - Perforated 11 - 11½ - 12
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| ½ cent | Purple Brown - Dragon | $1.80 | $3.00 | $2.40 | $4.00 |
| 1 cent | Yellow - Dragon | $1.80 | $3.00 | $3.00 | $5.00 |
| 2 cent | Orange - Dragon | $1.80 | $3.00 | $1.80 | $3.00 |
| 4 cent | Brown - Dragon | $1.80 | $3.00 | $3.00 | $5.00 |
| 5 cent | Rose Red - Dragon | $1.80 | $3.00 | $3.00 | $5.00 |
| 10 cent | Dark Green - Dragon | $1.80 | $3.00 | $14.40 | $24.00 |
| 20 cent | Maroon - Carp | $8.40 | $14.00 | $33.00 | $55.00 |
| 30 cent | Red - Carp | $16.50 | $27.50 | $48.00 | $80.00 |
| 50 cent | Yellow Green - Carp | $22.50 | $37.50 | $39.00 | $65.00 |
| $1 | Carmine Red - Goose | $120.00 | $150.00 | $175.00 | $200.00 |
| $2 | Orange & Yellow - Goose | $900.00 | $950.00 | $1,000.00 | $1,250.00 |
| $5 | Dark Green & Rose - Goose | $600.00 | $625.00 | $650.00 | $800.00 |
1898 Dragon Carp and Wild Goose - Yin-Yang Watermark - Engraved
The second Imperial issue. These stamps were intended to be the first issue but were delayed. Engraved by Waterlow and Sons in London. The inscription differs from the Japanese print above reading "Chinese Imperial Post" and there are design differences as well.
See 1902-3 for an additional issue with the same design
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| ½ cent | Chocolate - Dragon | $1.80 | $3.00 | $3.00 | $5.00 |
| 1 cent | Ochre - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $3.00 | $5.00 |
| 1 cent | Orange - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $3.00 | $5.00 |
| 2 cent | Scarlet - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $3.00 | $5.00 |
| 2 cent | Deep Red - Dragon | $1.44 | $2.40 | $3.00 | $5.00 |
| 4 cent | Orange Brown - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $3.00 | $5.00 |
| 5 cent | Salmon - Dragon | $2.10 | $3.50 | $4.20 | $7.00 |
| 10 cent | Dark Blue Green - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $6.00 | $10.00 |
| 20 cent | Claret - Carp | $3.60 | $6.00 | $27.60 | $46.00 |
| 30 cent | Dull Rose - Carp | $6.00 | $10.00 | $21.00 | $35.00 |
| 50 cent | Light Green - Carp | $7.20 | $12.00 | $33.00 | $55.00 |
| $1 | Red & Pale Rose - Goose | $18.00 | $30.00 | $132.00 | $220.00 |
| $2 | Brown Red/Yellow - Goose | $39.00 | $65.00 | $250.00 | $325.00 |
| $5 | Deep Green/Salmon - Goose | $120.00 | $200.00 | $450.00 | $550.00 |
These prices for Chinese stamps are provided as a service to Hobbizine readers. They are derived from numerous sources such as dealer price lists, advertisements in philatelic publications, and public auction results. Use these values as a guideline for evaluating the reasonableness of dealer prices, setting up trades with other collectors, and estimating the worth of your collection. The value of an individual stamp is dependent on its centering and condition. Four prices are listed here for each stamp:
- Used as Normally Collected
- Used Exceptionally Fine
- Mint as Normally Collected
- Mint Exceptionally Fine
It is hoped that this range of prices will meet the needs of most collectors. However, a particularly nice example might sell for more than the amounts listed, while a particularly poor copy might be worth less.
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