What does WFID mean in HOBBIES

A Washington / Franklin Identifier (WFID) is a numerical system used to identify specific postage stamps released by the US postal service throughout history. The WFID was first created for the iconic Washington and Franklin stamps issued in September 1908, and every single stamp issued since then has been given its own unique identifier number.

A WFID contains a series of numbers that make up an identification code for any particular stamp. For example, the two-cent George Washington stamp issued in 1908 carries the WFID 08-1. This stands for 1908, issue number one.

Collectors often use WFIDs when trying to locate or purchase certain stamps. Knowing the corresponding identification codes can help collectors quickly pinpoint exactly which stamps they are looking for without needing to manually search through listings of all available postage stamps.

You can typically find your WFID printed on the back side of each stamp near the postmark date or among other information included with each issue, such as color variations and watermarks. Additionally, there are online resources such as websites and catalogs that list all known postage stamps along with their corresponding Washington/Franklin identifiers.

Yes, every single US postage stamp ever created since 1908 has been assigned its own individual identifier number within this system.

Generally speaking, most US postage stamp identifiers follow a simple format where the year of issue is listed first followed by an issue number or other lettering that identifies specific colors and designs within each issue set. Every unique design or variation within one particular year should have its own distinct id code within this system.

The longest known Washington/Franklin Identifier currently recorded in Philip Ward’s Catalog of U.S Postage Stamps stands at 12 characters long and assigns to a 1985 Wildlife Conservation Series sheet featuring 42 different species of North American birds from California (85LC182-223). There may be longer identifiers than this currently existing; however, this record remains unbroken as of yet.

: Understanding how to properly read and interpret information presented in these numerical codes can be very useful for collectors who want to accurately identify different varieties of stamps and quickly narrow down their search results when looking for specific issues or variations to add to their collections. Additionally, having knowledge regarding how these numbers operate may also enable more experienced philatelists to recognize rarer issues on sight before having them officially identified by an expert.

Determining whether your collectible stamp holds value beyond its face value requires understanding both the condition it's in as well as how it fits into larger market trends regarding rarity or demand from other collectors like yourself—both factors which could influence its price tag if sold somewhere down the line. Having access to professional evaluation services (such as Lightner Stamp Evaluations) may be helpful here due more precise appraisals that take into account both objective measures such as assessing grades as well asthe broader complexities associated with market demand over time.

: Knowing your collectible's corresponding Washington / Franklin Identifier will not necessarily give you an idea about what your item might currently be worth in today's market—although it could if you experienced enough doing research ahead of time concerning current prices for certain types of specific collectibles that carry those same identification tags.