Bahamas postage stamp year 1890 4 Pence SG 53 Unused MH
That is another great stamp from the same 1890 Queen Victoria “Chalon Head” issue of the Bahamas!
The stamp you are referencing is the Bahamas 1890 4 Pence Black, Stanley Gibbons (SG) number 53.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the stamp and its estimated value based on catalogue and auction data, keeping in mind the importance of the “Unused” condition.
🇧🇸 Stamp Details and Value Estimate
| Feature | Description |
| Country | Bahamas (British Colony) |
| Year of Issue | 1890 |
| Denomination | 4 Pence (4d) |
| Color | Black |
| Catalogue Number | SG 53 (Stanley Gibbons) |
| Condition | Unused (Mint) |
| Catalogue Value (Used) | Around £20.00 GBP (for a fine used example) |
| Catalogue Value (Mint Hinged – MH) | Historically, the MH catalogue value is around £100 GBP. |
| Catalogue Value (Mint Never Hinged – MNH) | The MNH value is typically significantly higher, often 2x to 3x the MH value, placing it in the range of £200 – £300+ GBP in the catalogue. |
| Auction/Sale Price | Sale prices for quality examples can vary widely but generally reflect a percentage of the catalogue value. A reported auction result for a “mint block of four” in 1961 was £28.00 (a historical price). |
Crucial Condition Factors (“Unused”)
As with all classic stamps, the precise meaning of “Unused” is the single most important factor for determining the actual selling price:
- Mint Never Hinged (MNH): Original, undisturbed gum. This condition commands the highest price, often fetching the full catalogue value or close to it for a well-centered example.
- Mint Lightly Hinged (MLH) or Mint Hinged (MH): Gum has a hinge mark. This is the common “unused” condition and is worth substantially less than MNH.
- Unused (No Gum): Clean but lacks the original adhesive. This is worth less than MH.
The SG 53 in fine Mint Never Hinged (MNH) condition is a scarce and desirable stamp.
