AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a 3 Pfennig definitive postage stamp from the Weimar Republic era of Germany, featuring the portrait of President Paul von Hindenburg in profile facing left. The stamp is printed in a chestnut or reddish-brown ink on paper, measuring approximately 21mm by 25mm. The design includes the numeral '3' in both upper corners and the inscription 'Deutsches Reich' in Fraktur script across the bottom. The stamp is perforated on all four sides. A significant feature is the partial circular date stamp (CDS) cancellation in black ink, which clearly displays 'BERLIN-CH[ARLOTTENBURG]' and the partial date '21.7.32', indicating it was postally used just before the end of the Weimar period. The condition appears fair for a used stamp; the perforations seem mostly intact, though there is slight rounding on the corners and some minor paper toning or foxing visible in the margins. The centering of the design within the perforations is slightly shifted toward the top right. This issue was part of the common 'Hindenburg Medallion' series designed by Karl Goetz, produced between 1928 and 1932, and represented standard postal rates of the time. The craftsmanship reflects the transition into early 20th-century mass-production philately with a focus on clear, authoritative portraiture.

I have examined the digital image of the 1928-1932 German 3 Pfennig Hindenburg Medallion stamp. Based on my visual assessment, the item appears to be an authentic example of Michel Catalog No. 411. The reddish-brown color and 'Deutsches Reich' inscription in Fraktur script are consistent with the original printing. The cancellation is a partial circular date stamp from Berlin-Charlottenburg dated July 21, 1932, placing it at the very end of the Weimar Republic era. The condition is fair; I note slight corner rounding and minor centering issues where the design shifts toward the top-right. While the Berlin cancellation adds historical context, this stamp was produced in the hundreds of millions as a workhorse definitive. In the current philatelic market, used common values from this series are extremely high-volume and low-demand, typically found in 'penny boxes' or bulk packets. Comparable sales for single used specimens rarely exceed a nominal amount unless possessing a rare watermark or specific perforation variety. Important Disclaimer: This appraisal is based solely on digital imagery. A physical examination is required to verify the 'Waffeln' (Waffles) watermark and to ensure no hidden thins or repairs are present. For absolute authentication, a high-magnification inspection of the paper fibers and ink saturation would be necessary to distinguish it from sophisticated reprints, though the low market value makes forgery unlikely.