How to identify a stamp's value?
saber
Posts: 8 ✭
Hey there! I've found an old album of stamps from my grandfather. I believe some of them can be very expensive, but I don't know how to identify their worth. Can you please help me with some websites or services that can come in handy here? Thanks!
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e-Bay is really the only place to go.
Your local library probably has a set of Scott catalogs that you can access for indentification of your stamps, don't pay attention to prices.
Post pictures here, we can assist.
US stamp album or world wide?
Most old stamps have little to no value. If they are used stamps it might be easier to identify those vintage stamps that have some value, and then see if your album has any of those.
For example, the (US) Graf Zeppelin stamps from the 1930s (?) are valuable.
@saber Stampworld has an online catalog that I use. Their identification numbers are not the same as those used by the Scott Catalogs. They have recent updated values.
When I began collecting stamps Scott catalogs gave basic values for stamp handling. Way back when ( the 1960s ), the basic value to handle/process a single used common stamp was 2 cents. Over the years it incremented to 3 cents, then 5, 7, 10 to, in 2011, 20 cents. As of last week, Stampworld is listing the basic value as 27 cents.
Value is relative. Some collectors call a value greater than $1.00 to be valuable while others believe a stamp needs to have a value greater than $5.00 before they show interest. I think all undamaged stamps have value and I have summarily removed any stamp from my collection that is damaged or has a heavy cancellation that basically obliterates the design, especially those issued after 1969, US issues. Each stamp needs its own assessment. You need to know what you have before you can do anything.
So, have patience and id your stamps, find the current values. I think you will find some pleasant surprises from your grandfathers’ collection…imo…Spark
@Spark 1951 thank you for your answer