If I collect used PRC stamps should they be postally used or is CTO acceptable?
The bulk of the used PRC stamps on the market are Canceled to Order (CTO) stamps. Surplus sheets of mint stamps are canceled by the post office in sheet form and then sold in quantity at a price much lower than face value. These stamps have not been used on mail and therefore are in unused condition but with a postmark. Their value depends upon the quantities of each set which were distributed. Some CTO sets are relatively scarce and rightfully sell for very high prices. The Scott Catalogue prices for PRC used stamps are for CTO stamps. The PRC postal authorities have discontinued the practice because all quantities of the mint sets are usually sold at full face value. Older postally used stamps usually sell for 50-75% of the mint price when offered, and the latest ones at 100-125% (or more) of the mint price. The quality of postally used stamps is almost always less than the same CTO stamp because of wear and/or damage received when it traveled in the mail. Most PRC collectors (includ
