China Stamp Values
1902-3 Designs of 1898 Unwatermarked Perforated 12-16
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| ½ cent | Brown - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $2.40 | $4.00 |
| 1 cent | Ochre - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $2.40 | $4.00 |
| 1 cent | Orange - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $2.40 | $4.00 |
| 1 cent | Brownish Yellow - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $2.40 | $4.00 |
| 2 cent | Scarlet - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $2.40 | $4.00 |
| 4 cent | Orange Brown - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $2.40 | $4.00 |
| 5 cent | Rose Red - Dragon | $1.80 | $3.00 | $14.40 | $24.00 |
| 5 cent | Orange - Dragon | $1.80 | $3.00 | $12.00 | $20.00 |
| 10 cent | Deep Green - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $9.00 | $15.00 |
| 20 cent | Red Brown - Carp | $1.20 | $2.00 | $14.40 | $24.00 |
| 30 cent | Dull Red - Carp | $1.20 | $2.00 | $14.40 | $24.00 |
| 50 cent | Yellow Green - Carp | $1.20 | $2.00 | $24.00 | $40.00 |
| $1 | Red & Pale Rose - Goose | $11.40 | $19.00 | $85.00 | $120.00 |
| $2 | Brown Red & Yellow - Goose | $27.00 | $45.00 | $200.00 | $300.00 |
| $5 | Deep Green & Salmon - Goose | $120.00 | $200.00 | $320.00 | $450.00 |
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1905-10 Dragon Color Changes
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| 2 cent | Green | $1.20 | $2.00 | $1.20 | $2.00 |
| 3 cent | Slate Green | $1.20 | $2.00 | $2.40 | $4.00 |
| 4 cent | Vermilion | $1.20 | $2.00 | $1.95 | $3.25 |
| 5 cent | Violet | $1.20 | $2.00 | $2.70 | $4.50 |
| 5 cent | Lilac | $1.20 | $2.00 | $3.15 | $5.25 |
| 5 cent | Mauve | $1.20 | $2.00 | $2.40 | $4.00 |
| 7 cent | Maroon | $4.80 | $8.00 | $7.50 | $12.50 |
| 10 cent | Blue | $1.20 | $2.00 | $10.20 | $17.00 |
| 16 cent | Olive Green | $7.80 | $13.00 | $31.80 | $53.00 |
|
1909 Temple of Heaven - Peking
Issued September 8, 1909, these are the last stamps of the Imperial Government. Honors the first year of the reign of Hsuan T'ung, the last of the Manchu Emperors.
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| 2 cent | Orange & Green | $3.60 | $6.00 | $3.00 | $5.00 |
| 3 cent | Orange & Blue | $8.40 | $14.00 | $4.20 | $7.00 |
| 7 cent | Orange & Brown Violet | $4.20 | $7.00 | $5.40 | $9.00 |
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1912 Foochow Provisional Neutrality
As the Revolution unfolded, stamps of 1902-1910 were overprinted "Provisional Neutrality" by the Foocow Postal Administration. The purpose of this overprint was to declare the neutrality of the Post Office that it might continue providing mail service. There was controversy over the wording of the overprint, and the stamps were quickly withdrawn.
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| 3 cent | Slate Green - Dragon | $80.00 | $110.00 | $190.00 | $250.00 |
| $1 | Red & Pale Rose - Goose | $1,450.00 | … | $1,550.00 | … |
| $2 | Brown Red & Yellow - Goose | $1,750.00 | … | $2,050.00 | … |
| $5 | Deep Green & Salmon - Goose | $2,750.00 | … | $3,075.00 | … |
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1912 Nanking Provisional Neutrality
Also known as the Cruciform issue due to the crossed shape of the overprint. In an attempt to address the controversy over the Foochow Neutrality issues, the Post Office added an additional overprint which combined with the first read "Chinese Republic Provisional Neutrality." This wording proved controversial as well, and these stamps were also quickly withdrawn from sale.
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| 1 cent | Ochre (Red Overprint) - Dragon | $110.00 | $140.00 | $175.00 | $200.00 |
| 3 cent | Slate Green (Red Overprint) - Dragon | $100.00 | $130.00 | $160.00 | $190.00 |
| 7 cent | Maroon - Dragon | $250.00 | $300.00 | $375.00 | $425.00 |
| 16 cent | Olive Green (Red Overprint) - Carp | $1,600.00 | … | $1,600.00 | … |
| 50 cent | Yellow Green (Red Overprint) - Carp | $1,350.00 | … | $1,600.00 | … |
| $1 | Red & Pale Rose - Goose | $1,200.00 | … | $1,500.00 | … |
| $2 | Brown Red & Yellow - Goose | $3,000.00 | … | $3,000.00 | … |
| $5 | Deep Green & Salmon - Goose | $5,500.00 | … | $5,500.00 | … |
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Stamps of the New Republic
With the formal establishment of the new Republic it became necessary to overprint existing supplies of postage until new stamps could be printed. Three series of similar appearing overprints were produced: one series by the Maritime Statistical Customs Department; one by the Commercial Press of Shanghai; and one by Waterlow and Sons of London.
1912 Maritime Customs Definitives
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| ½ cent | Brown - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $1.20 | $2.00 |
| ½ cent | Brown - Inverted Overprint - Dragon | $22.50 | $37.50 | $22.50 | $37.50 |
| 1 cent | Ochre - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $1.20 | $2.00 |
| 2 cent | Green - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $1.20 | $2.00 |
| 3 cent | Slate Green - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $1.20 | $2.00 |
| 4 cent | Vermilion - Dragon | $1.80 | $3.00 | $1.80 | $3.00 |
| 5 cent | Violet - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $1.80 | $3.00 |
| 7 cent | Maroon - Dragon | $1.80 | $3.00 | $3.00 | $5.00 |
| 10 cent | Ultramarine - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $3.30 | $5.50 |
| 10 cent | Ultramarine with Brownish Red Overprint - Dragon | $6.75 | $7.00 | $7.25 | $12.00 |
| 16 cent | Olive Green - Carp | $3.60 | $6.00 | $5.30 | $8.75 |
| 20 cent | Red Brown - Carp | $1.80 | $3.00 | $4.25 | $7.25 |
| 30 cent | Rose Red - Carp | $2.40 | $4.00 | $5.50 | $9.25 |
| 50 cent | Yellow Green - Carp | $2.40 | $4.00 | $13.25 | $22.00 |
| $1 | Red & Pale Rose - Goose | $12.00 | $20.00 | $132.00 | $220.00 |
| $2 | Brown Red & Yellow - Goose | $24.00 | $40.00 | $110.00 | $140.00 |
| $5 | Deep Green & Salmon - Goose | $200.00 | $250.00 | $300.00 | $350.00 |
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1912 Commercial Press
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| 1 cent | Orange Yellow - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $3.00 | $5.00 |
| 2 cent | Green - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $18.00 | $30.00 |
|
1912 Waterlow / London Definitives
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| ½ cent | Brown - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $1.20 | $2.00 |
| 1 cent | Ochre - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $1.20 | $2.00 |
| 2 cent | Green - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $1.45 | $2.40 |
| 3 cent | Slate Green - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $1.62 | $2.70 |
| 4 cent | Vermilion - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $2.40 | $4.00 |
| 5 cent | Violet - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $6.60 | $11.00 |
| 7 cent | Maroon - Dragon | $18.00 | $30.00 | $16.20 | $27.00 |
| 10 cent | Ultramarine - Dragon | $1.20 | $2.00 | $7.80 | $13.00 |
| 16 cent | Olive Green - Carp | $9.60 | $16.00 | $21.00 | $35.00 |
| 20 cent | Red Brown - Carp | $1.50 | $2.50 | $14.40 | $24.00 |
| 30 cent | Dull Red - Carp | $3.00 | $5.00 | $42.00 | $70.00 |
| 50 cent | Yellow Green - Carp | $7.25 | $12.00 | $64.00 | $105.00 |
| $1 | Red & Pale Rose - Goose | $9.00 | $15.00 | $66.00 | $110.00 |
| $2 | Brn Red & Yellow - Goose | $110.00 | $140.00 | $175.00 | $200.00 |
| $5 | Deep Green & Salmon - Goose | $250.00 | $275.00 | $325.00 | $350.00 |
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Dr. Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) whose image appears on dozens of Chinese stamps is often referred to as the "Father of Modern China." A revolutionary who played a significant role in the movement which overthrew the Manchu dynasty in 1911, Sun served briefly as the "provisional" first president of the Republic of China when the provisional government was established in 1912. He then went on to serve as premier of the political party Kuomintang. Sun is remembered for his doctrine, the Three Principles of the People (nationalism, democracy, and people's livelihood) as well as his manifesto, Principles of National Reconstruction.
The Commemorative Issues of 1912
On December 15, 1912 two commemorative stamp sets were issued simultaneously. These were the first new stamps issued by the new Republic, the previous Republic issues having been overprints on existing stamps. One set bears the portrait of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and is inscribed "In Commemoration of the Revolution." The second set portrays Yuan Shih-kai and is inscribed "In Commemoration of the Republic." (Yuan Shih-kai had replaced Sun Yat-sen as president of the provisional government.) The stamps were valid until July 31, 1913. They were engraved and printed by the Chinese Bureau of Engraving and Printing, on white wove paper in sheets of 100.
1912 Dr. Sun Yat-sen Commemorative Issue
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| 1 cent | Orange | $1.80 | $3.00 | $1.50 | $2.50 |
| 2 cent | Yellow Green | $1.80 | $3.00 | $1.50 | $2.50 |
| 3 cent | Slate Green | $1.80 | $3.00 | $1.50 | $2.50 |
| 5 cent | Rose Lilac | $1.80 | $3.00 | $2.70 | $4.50 |
| 8 cent | Deep Brown | $2.40 | $4.00 | $2.70 | $4.50 |
| 10 cent | Dull Blue | $2.40 | $4.00 | $2.70 | $4.50 |
| 16 cent | Olive Green | $4.80 | $8.00 | $5.75 | $9.60 |
| 20 cent | Maroon | $4.80 | $8.00 | $12.00 | $20.00 |
| 50 cent | Dark Green | $16.80 | $28.00 | $24.00 | $40.00 |
| $1 | Brown Red | $24.00 | $40.00 | $72.00 | $120.00 |
| $2 | Yellow Brown | $200.00 | $215.00 | $240.00 | $260.00 |
| $5 | Gray | $95.00 | $100.00 | $110.00 | $125.00 |
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1912 President Yuan Shih-Kai Commemorative Issue
| Denom. | Description | Used | Used EF | Mint | Mint EF |
| 1 cent | Orange | $1.50 | $2.50 | $1.20 | $2.00 |
| 2 cent | Yellow Green | $1.50 | $2.50 | $1.20 | $2.00 |
| 3 cent | Slate Green | $1.50 | $2.50 | $1.20 | $2.00 |
| 5 cent | Rose Lilac | $1.50 | $2.50 | $1.20 | $2.00 |
| 8 cent | Deep Brown | $1.80 | $3.00 | $2.40 | $4.00 |
| 10 cent | Dull Blue | $1.80 | $3.00 | $2.40 | $4.00 |
| 16 cent | Olive Green | $3.60 | $6.00 | $3.25 | $5.00 |
| 20 cent | Maroon | $3.00 | $5.00 | $2.40 | $4.00 |
| 50 cent | Dark Green | $21.60 | $36.00 | $16.25 | $27.00 |
| $1 | Brown Red | $25.25 | $42.00 | $48.00 | $80.00 |
| $2 | Yellow Brown | $33.00 | $36.00 | $55.00 | $90.00 |
| $5 | Gray | $220.00 | $230.00 | $250.00 | $275.00 |
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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:
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--Used as Normally Collected
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--Used Exceptionally Fine
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--Mint as Normally Collected
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--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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