What A Stamp Value?

Answer 1

Finding the value of a stamp can be very complex or it can be easy.

To identify a stamp you'll need a book or do an image search on each stamp. The easy route would be to go see your local stamp dealer. You don't even have to sell your collection and most will evaluate for free. If you don't have a local dealer check with Coin Dealers & antique shops.

• Most stamps that are issued by the post office were printed in the 100's of millions. The amount of stamps issued helps determine the value. The more stamps printed the less the value of the stamp and the less stamps printed the more the value of the stamp. See (Scott Specialized Catalog of US Stamps 2011, pages 528-533)

• In the US stamps issued sins 1866 that are new (mint never used) are still worth the face value of the stamp and can be used as postage on letters. Those stamps issued since about 1940 are normally purchased by dealers below face value. There are a few, usually higher face value stamps, that are worth more. Earlier ones can have considerable value.

• Used stamps (cancellation marked and no gum) printed after 1940 (1940 to date) are normally only worth about a penny or less although most catalogs have set a value of 20 cents, that being the minimum to catalog and handle a single stamp. Most dealers buy these by the ounce or pound. There are a few, usually higher face value stamps, that are worth more.

1. First Step: Identify Stamp. Using a catalog find out which country the stamp is from and year of issue. These catalogs cost about $50. It is best to find a dealer/collector to help you or use your local library. Stamp clubs and shows are held almost weekly around the country. You can find out where they are being held in ' Linn's Stamp News'.
2. Second Step: Grading: Now that you have identified the basic stamp using the catalog you can determine its basic value. Catalogs are normally setting the value for a stamp at the VF Grade, which is about the middle of the grading range. In the front of most catalogs there is a grading system for the stamps. Read this very carefully. The catalog may state that your stamp is valued at $10 but because of its grade of VG it may only be worth $1. 'Scott Specialized Catalog of US Stamps 2011' has a stamp valuing supplement on pages 305-348, which provides the values of the stamps in most grades that were issued before 1940.
3. Third Step: Exceptional Stamps: Stamps go up in value based of these four factors. Popularity, scarcity, rarity and mistakes. Please take note that I left out age (old stamps). Just because the stamp seems old doesn't make it valuable. As an example: The 1893 2 cent Columbus stamp (Scott Catalog Number 231) is an old stamp, but it still has a catalog value for a used stamp of 30 cents (which in my opinion is over valued), almost every collection has one, I have about a 1000. The post office printed 1.4 billion of these stamps (Scott Specialized Catalog of US Stamps 2011, page 528). It will still be worth catalog value 30 cents a hundred years from now. How do you know you have an exceptional stamp? There are so many factors in identifying stamps that were printed before 1940 that it could take up a book. A good start is using the 'Scott Stamp Identifier' of stamps issued before 1940, and of course using the 'Scott Specialized Catalog of US Stamps 2011'. Please note the 'Scott Specialized Catalog of US Stamps 2011' is about 2 inches thick. Mistakes can be very valuable. Of the US stamps the Inverted Jenny (Scott Catalog Number C3a) is the most known for it mistake. The sheet of stamps of 100 was purchased in 1918 for $24 (24 cents for each stamp). Shortly thereafter sold for $15,000. Today one stamp of the Inverted Jenny catalogs for $500,000 (Scott Specialized Catalog of US Stamps 2011, page 350)
4. Fourth Step: Expertizing & Professional Grading: If you do find an exceptional stamp worth more than $100. It is highly recommended that it be certified with a certificate of authenticity from one of the expertizing services. Stamps have been faked and altered to look like valuable stamps. Most people would not buy a rare or exceptional stamp without it being expertized.

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The first step is to identify the country of issue. Then consult a stamp catalog to find the catalog value. Then you have to determine the condition and what affect it would have. In general, you can purchase a fairly common stamp of about half the catalog value. When selling it, most dealers might consider paying 10 to 20% of catalog.

Answer 2

No way to answer this without knowing which one you are refering to. Prices vary by country and year.

Answer 3

It depends on if it is rare or not. Also if it is old it could have a higher value. To find out you can either get a book about it or ask pro collectors/clubs

Answer 4

It depends on what stamp it is. For regular stamps like the ink ones they are like $2 for 5 , but if it is for mail then its about $5. Hope this helps you.

Answer 5

The ones with A are worth 15 cents face value. Additional postage must be added to make the current rate. They are good for US addresses only.