How do I know if my old stamps are valuable?

How to Determine Stamp Values

Identify the stamp.
Find out when was the stamp issued.
Know the stamp’s age and material used.
Determine the centering of the design.
Check the stamp’s gum.
Determine the condition of the perforations.
See if the stamp has been cancelled or not.
Find out the rarity of the stamp.

How do I sell old stamps?

Here are 6 of the best places to sell old stamps:

A Collector. If you’re able to contact a collector directly, this may save you a lot of time.
A Dealer. Selling to stamp dealers is the fastest way to gain immediate money.
On Consignment.
A Stamp Show.
An Auction House.
An Online Auction.
Know Your Stamps’ Worth.

How do I know if my stamp collection is worth anything?

The condition of your stamp is one of the most important factors when determining stamp collection value. Expert collectors understand that perforations missing, faded colors, paper flacks, and other imperfections greatly diminish stamp value.

Are old used stamps worth money?

Most cancelled, or used, 20th-century U.S. stamps are worth less than the paper they’re printed on. But used stamps are priceless in the way they tell the story of America, through images of its presidents, technological achievements, prominent citizens, and natural wonders.

Where is the best place to sell old stamps?

Best Places to Sell Old Stamps

Apfelbaum, Inc.
West Coast Stamp Company.
Miller’s Stamp Company.
Mystic Stamp Company.
Sotheby’s.
WorldwideStamps.com.
American Philatelic Society.
eBay and other online auction sites. If you don’t have a large collection or your collection is particularly valuable, then you may want to sell them on eBay.

Are stamp collections worth any money?

Your Stamps’ Value The condition of the stamp matters. You might find that the stamps in your collection of significant catalog value are worth much less than you believed. Inferior quality stamps are, in fact, nearly worthless. You may have purchased some nice stamps at bargain prices, but their.

What is the best way to sell my stamp collection?

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:

Are used stamps worth more than unused?

Stamps available for both postage and revenue (fiscal) purposes are usually worth more unused or with a postal cancellation. Madame Joseph specialised in the addition of forged cancels to stamps that were worth more used than unused.

How much are Queen Elizabeth stamps worth?

According to The Telegraph per The Sun, experts evaluated the queen’s impressive stamp collection and estimated its worth to be £100 Million or about $124 million.

Is stamp collecting dead?

That is still true today, and it is particularly true regarding stamp collecting, whether it is general or specialized. In the end, philately is not dead, nor is it dying. Rather, it is changing every day in the people who pursue it and in the way that it is pursued. Good luck and happy collecting!

Who has the largest stamp collection?

Gross currently holds the record for the biggest single-day stamp auction in 2007 when he auctioned off his collection of British stamps for $9.1 million. — CNBC’s Kevin Flynn contributed to this report.

Which countries stamps are the most valuable?

Most Valuable Stamps in the World

Mauritius Post Office Stamps.
Bottom Line: Mauritius Post Office Stamps.
1859 Sicilian Error of Color.
Bottom Line: 1859 Sicilian Error of Color.
Treskilling Yellow.
Bottom Line: Treskilling Yellow.
British Guiana 1 Cent Magenta.
Bottom Line: British Guiana 1 Cent Magenta.

What is a professional stamp collector called?

Stamp collecting is generally accepted as one of the areas that make up the wider subject of philately, which is the study of stamps. A philatelist may, but does not have to, collect stamps. It is not uncommon for the term philatelist to be used to mean a stamp collector.

How many US stamp collectors are there?

5 million people

Are stamps a good investment?

Stamps are not a financial asset and so may perform better than cash in times of high inflation. As a tangible asset, a stamp cannot go out of business like a company quoted on the stock market. Stamps are a relatively confidential investment.

How many people still collect stamps?

Who Collects Stamps? Stamp collecting has often been called “the hobby of kings and the king of hobbies.” Linn’s Stamp News estimates that more than 5 million people in the U.S. collect stamps. Stamp collectors include individuals from all walks of life.

How do you make stamps for collecting?

Hot or boiling water may work faster but it is also more likely to damage your stamps. Prepare a nearby drying area with a stamp drying book, blotting paper or a towel. Generally do not use newspaper, since the ink can transfer to your stamps and discolor or damage them. Don’t forget to have your stamp tongs handy.

Where can I get my stamp collection appraised?

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.

How do you take care of old stamps?

Store your stamps in a dark, dry space As well as the room being dry, you should also ensure that your chosen storage space is dark, or that your stamps are not out in the open and protected from natural sunlight. UV rays in the sun will break down the ink in your stamps dramatically decreasing their quality.