Do stamp collections still have value?

Table of Contents

A Note About Modern Postage

Nearly all unused U.S. stamps issued after 1930 are worth face value.

How can I sell my old stamps?

Ways to sell your stamps

Using a stamp dealer. It is vital to understand that dealers are often also collectors in search of a bargain.
Stamp fairs.
Stamp Magazine.
Selling stamps on eBay.
Donating stamps to a charity.
Selling stamps at auction.
Selling stamps by Private Treaty Sale.

What is the best website to sell stamps?

Sotheby’s is your best resource for selling rare stamps at auction. Since our first postage stamps auction was held in 1872, Sotheby’s has represented the most significant and famous philatelists, including Sir Maxwell Joseph, Ryohei Ishikawa, Robert Gibbs, Sir Gawaine Baillie and Lady Mairi Bury.

How do I find a stamp collection appraisal?

Look for an appraiser through authoritative sources like official stamp collection societies. The American Philatelic Society notes you may pay anywhere from $75 to $250 an hour to have the stamps/collection appraised. Some local groups, like the Northern Philatelic Society, may offer free appraisal services.

What is the rarest stamp to collect?

British Guiana 1 cent Magenta
British Guiana 1 cent Magenta, 1856
Not many knew of the stamp until a 12-year-old boy discovered it in 1873 and sold it for 6 shillings (roughly $10 now). Today, the ‘world’s rarest stamp’ is valued at roughly Rs 71 crore.

How can I tell if my stamps are valuable?

How to Determine Stamp Values

Option 1: Find out the Stamp Values by Yourself. Identify the stamp.
Option 2: Check out a Printed Reference.
Option 3: Research the Stamp Values via the Internet.
Option 4: Attend a Stamp Show.
Option 5: Find out the Stamp Values via a knowledgeable Stamp Expert, Dealer or Appraiser.

Which old stamps are worth money?

21 most valuable stamps in the world

Mauritius 1847 Post Office Stamps: $12,760,600.
British Guiana 1856 1 Cent Magenta: $11,601,700.
Benjamin Franklin Z Grill: $4,441,000.
Swedish Treskilling Yellow: $4,238,000.
Sicilian Error of Color: $2,570,600.
Two Penny Blue: $2,322,400.
The Whole Country Is Red: $2,302,700.

Where are the most valuable stamps from?

The current record price for a single stamp is US$9,480,000 paid for the British Guiana 1c magenta. This list is ordered by consumer price index inflation-adjusted value (in bold) in millions of United States dollars in 2021.

Where can I sell my valuable stamps?

If you know you have rare stamps, you can sell them through several means:

Local Dealer: Dealers handle both collections and individual stamps.
Mail Order Dealer: If you’re not going local, consider working with a mail order dealer.
American Philatelic Society Circuit Sales:
Auction House:

What rare stamps are collectors looking for?

What makes an old stamp valuable?

The value arises from its rarity. Other criteria that affect condition are color soundness, centering, gum, perforation and margins. Stamps are worth more if their colors have not faded due to sunlight, indoor lighting, dirt, pollution and human contact.

Are old envelopes with stamps worth anything?

They are hardly ever worth anything significant unless, of course, they contain a rare stamp error.

What stamps are worth more used or unused?

Mint stamps are often more valuable than used ones as in many cases fewer mint items survive. As a rule, a mint stamp is in better condition than a used example, which has passed through the mail. However, sometimes used stamps may be more expensive than mint ones.

How do I know if I have any valuable stamps?

How to Determine Stamp Values

Option 1: Find out the Stamp Values by Yourself. Identify the stamp.
Option 2: Check out a Printed Reference.
Option 3: Research the Stamp Values via the Internet.
Option 4: Attend a Stamp Show.
Option 5: Find out the Stamp Values via a knowledgeable Stamp Expert, Dealer or Appraiser.

What stamps are sought after?

Are old Cancelled postage stamps worth anything?

Cancelled stamps do have value but it is usually far less than stamps without cancellation marks on them. The value attached to a cancelled stamp will depend on the stamp’s rarity and desirability for collecting. Generally, the heavier the cancellation mark, the lower the stamp’s value and it will get a “poor” grade.

Do old canceled stamps have any value?

What are the most sought after stamps?

What stamps are rare to look for?

The 10 Most Valuable U.S. Stamps

The Inverted Jenny. (Courtesy of Siegel Auction Gallery)
1847 Issue Block of 16 of Ben Franklin.
Almanac Stamp of 1765 or 1766.
‘Blue Boy’ Alexandria Postmaster’s Provisional.
1869 Pictorials—Inverted Center Errors.
Two-Cent Blue Hawaiian Missionary.
1860 Stolen Pony Cover.
Pan American Inverts.

Are stamps worth more used or unused?

This marks the stamp as used and prevents its reuse. Mint stamps are often more valuable than used ones as in many cases fewer mint items survive. As a rule, a mint stamp is in better condition than a used example, which has passed through the mail. However, sometimes used stamps may be more expensive than mint ones.

What Year stamps are worth money?

The Four Main Elements of a Stamp

Stamp	Year	Price
1c Benjamin Franklin Z Grill	1868	$935,000
3c George Washington w/ B Grill	1867	$900,000
Tiflis Stamp	1857	$700,000
24c Declaration of Independence	1869	$625,000

What is the rarest stamp ever?

British Guiana 1 cent Magenta, 1856

Are old Cancelled stamps valuable?

What does OG mean in stamp collecting?

OG indicates original gum, as issued by the government post office, but it may be disturbed by such things as hinge marks or fingerprints. And NH means original gum that is undisturbed, never hinged or otherwise damaged. Collectors often pay a lot of money for a rare stamp with original gum.