Help to ID 2 old stamps

famoussheamus

Hello I found 2 old stamps while going through old files, anyone shed any light?

dpofloinn

That's an Irish 9d 'Arms of the provinces' stamp they were in circulation from approx 1923 to 1969 after that I cant tell you anymore, but it might point you in the right direction

Judgement Day

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postage_stamps_of_Ireland

Missent

Famoussheamus

There are two basic types of the stamp (9d violet as identified by Dpofloinn) shown in your photograph, the early type with the 'Se' watermark and the common type with the 'E' watermark. The first type is catalogued by Hibernia at 58 euros unmounted mint, 20 euros mounted mint and 24 euros fine used. The more common type isn't worth worrying about.

You may be able to identify the watermark by holding the stamp against the light or putting it on a black background. Catalogue prices would be much higher than what a dealer would offer you, but if it's the early type, it's a good find.

famoussheamus

Many thanks for your help. I forgot to attach the other one:o

dpofloinn

That one depicts Mícheál Ó Cléirigh one of the writers of the annals of the 4 masters introduced in 1944 to mark the 300th anniversary of his death it was origionaly introduced as a commemorative but they stayed in circulation untill approx 1969

Missent

Famoussheamus

As Dpofloinn has noted, this stamp was in use a long time and it has a low catalogue value in either mint or used form. However, it's one of the scarcer first day covers, and the pair (including the similar 1/2 d) together on FDC have a catalogue price of €280.