Bahamas postage stamp year 1890 6 Pence SG 54 Unused MH
That sounds like a great piece of philatelic history!
The stamp is the Bahamas 1890 6 Pence Mauve, Stanley Gibbons (SG) number 54, featuring the portrait of Queen Victoria (a “Chalon Head” design).
Here is a summary of the information I can gather regarding its condition and potential value:
stamp Details and Value Estimate
| Feature | Description |
| Country | Bahamas (British Colony) |
| Year of Issue | 1890 |
| Denomination | 6 Pence (6d) |
| Color | Mauve (or Violet Mauve) |
| Catalogue Number | SG 54 (Stanley Gibbons) |
| Condition | Unused (Mint) |
| Catalogue Value (Used) | Around £35.00 GBP (for a fine used example) |
| Auction/Sale Price (Mint Lightly Hinged – LMM) | Observed sale prices are quite low (e.g., around £4.00), but this is for lightly hinged (LMM) condition. |
| Auction/Sale Price (Mint Never Hinged – MNH) | For the main variety, prices can be significantly higher, with a reported catalogue value around £207 for a variety like the “Malformed E” (SG 54a) in MNH condition. The price for a standard SG 54 MNH would be related to its catalogue value. |
Key Factors for an “Unused” Stamp
The exact value depends heavily on what is meant by “Unused.” In philately, “unused” is usually broken down into these categories, which cause major value differences:
- Mint Never Hinged (MNH) / Unused Original Gum (UOG): The stamp has its original, undisturbed gum (adhesive) on the back and has never been mounted with a hinge. This is the most valuable condition.
- Mint Lightly Hinged (MLH) or Mint Hinged (MH) / Unused: The stamp has been previously mounted with a hinge, leaving a mark or remnant on the gum. This is less valuable than MNH.
- Unused (No Gum): The stamp is clean and uncancelled but lacks gum (either it was removed or it was issued without it). This is typically the least valuable “unused” condition.
