Value of Old Postage Stamps

Have you been wondering about the value of old postage stamps you have kept stored away for years? Or, perhaps you came across a box in you great grandmother’s attic full of old letters with stamps on the envelopes. You may find the value of the old stamps surprising.

Find stamps at collectible auctions.

Just like all collectibles, the value of old postage stamps varies depending on the market and the law of supply and demand. Each stamp, or collection of stamps, has several different values:

• Retail
• Wholesale
• Fair market value
• Tax or estate
• Insurance
• Auction

When determining the value of old stamps there are several specific factors that considered.

• The country where the stamp was issued
• The year the stamp was issued
• Whether or not the stamp has been used
• The availability of the stamp
• The overall condition, or grade, of the stamp

The grading system applied to postal stamps ranges from superb to poor. The following factors are taken into consideration when grading an old postage stamp.

• How the image is centered on the stamp
• Whether or not the stamp has any rips or repairs
• Whether or not the stamp has been canceled or not
• The size and density of the cancellation mark on the stamp
• The degree of fading that has occurred over time
• Whether or not the stamp has hinge marks
• The condition of the stamp’s gum
• The condition of the stamp’s perforation

Resources for postage stamp valuation are available both off and online.

One of the most valuable resources for finding the value of postage stamps is the Scott Catalogue, a series of price guides published annually by Amos Hobby Publishing. The Scott Catalogue is generally available at most libraries and bookstores.

Each volume includes the current value and photographs of every stamp that was ever issued in the world. The stamps are arranged by the date and country of issue. Each year the volumes are updated to include all of the changes in value that occurred since the last printing. In addition to the basic Scott Catalogue volumes, the company also publishes specialized editions. The volumes of the Scott Catalogue and other books on valuing stamps for 2010 are as follows:

• 2010 Scott Catalogue Volume1 - the United States and countries A-B
• Volume 2 - countries C-F
• Volume 3 - countries G-I
• Volume 4 - countries J-O
• Volume 5 _countries P-SI
• Volume 6 - countries SO-Z
• 2010 Scott Volume 1 - Stamp Values Spring Set
• 2010 Scott Catalogue Classic Specialized (World 1840-1940)
• 2010 Scott Catalog United States Specialized
• 2010 Scott United States Specialized / Stamp Values Fall Set
• 2010 Scott Stamp Values - Fall Edition
• 2010 Scott Stamp Values - Spring Edition

• Professional Stamp Experts is considered the industry leader in third party grading and authentication services for postage stamps. Their website also includes:
  • Population reports of Professional Stamp Experts (PSE) certified stamps
  • A stamp set registry service
  • A quarterly online price guide of all United States important stamps
  • A guide to understanding the stamp grading system
  • A photographic grading guide of United States stamps
• Although Find Your Stamp’s Value charges a monthly membership fee, they do offer a free guest trial service.
• Stamp Values provides an online stamp price guide and catalogue that includes many popular stamps.
• The Swedish Tiger provides updated market prices and images of all United States postal stamps up to 1952. The prices are updated twice a year with the values based on auction house sales.

• Available at Amazon The Official Blackbook Price Guide to United States Postage Stamps by Thomas E. Hudgeons Jr. is published annually.
• Check the completed auction prices of similar stamps, in approximately the same condition, on eBay.
• Take your stamps to a local stamp dealer or appraiser.

Once you find the value of old postage stamps you have laying around the house, you may also find a new interest, the hobby of stamp collecting.

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