A single iron brand that does not fade or get unreadable is VERY valuable . Worth Much more if it is hard to alter.  Hides with only 1 brand are worth more. Use to be The more brands on a hide the less the packer would pay. A single iron brand is less stressful on the animal also & a LL of a lot less work for the livestock owner.  My brother has my dad's brand that is a single iron that looks like a U with a bar across the top & a little teat about a 3/4" long hanging down.  That brand is readable on 10-12 year old cows.  Probley worth over $100,000 in todays market