Stamp Collecting (Philately)

If the stamp has been used, the post office will tell you it is worthless. If a stamp has not been used, they will tell you it is worth whatever is on its face value. The post office will not appraise a stamp for its collectable value.

The Love stamp of 1995 was issued in two prices. It was issued in 32 cent version for first class postage and a 55 cent version which covered a two ounce letter. It was also issued as a booklet and a sheet format. The 55 cent was also issued as a self adhesive.

The same reason that Americans put stamps on postcards. Too mail the postcard!

How do you know it is rare? Granted, stamps from the 1860's are not all that common, but there were many that are relatively common and worth only a few dollars. Others are extremely rare and could be worth a lot. Identify the exact stamp using a catalog. This could involve learning about perforations, watermarks and colors as well as condition. The catalog will provide a value. The value is what a collector could expect to pay for a stamp in fine/very fine condition. If selling, most cases you would be lucky to get 75% of the catalog, unless it is very valuable, then an auction would be worth looking into. Dealers would be able to take a look at the overall collection and make an offer. Find a local dealer throught the American Stamp Dealers' Association. The most common American catalog for identification is Scott's. Others are Stanley Gibbons, and Minkus.

{| |- | Scott Number 1034 You can purchase one of these for 20 cents used or mint from a dealer. This minimum value indicates that it has no real value. Dealers typically will purchase stamps at around 25% of the catalog value. Consult a stamp catalog such as Scott's, for a description on how stamps are rated and graded. |}

The "Blue Dove" stamp had a denomination of 3 cents, according to the link below.

Postage to Spain from the US is 98 cents in 2010.

In 1966, the first class postage rate in the US was 5 cents. This rate continued in effect until 1/6/68.

1901-1909 were the dates that Roosevelt was president. There is no way to know what stamps you may have.

Very little. The value of the gold is so small as to make it valueless.

According to the website United States Non-denominated Stamp Values, the face value is 37 cents.

Vignette?

The B stamp pictures a stylized eagle. It has a value of 18 cents. You can still use it for 18 cents worth of postage.

it could be possible . it's just paper.. so I don't see why you couldn't

Scott US#1855

This stamp was issued in 1980 part of the Contributors to American History definitives set of stamps. It can be purchased for 15 cents used and 65 cents mint through a dealer. The low price indicates that it is of nominal value and a dealer is not likely to purchase a single copy.

Value is very dependent on the stamp which you have!

I would recommend that you visit your local library and pick up a copy of a book called "Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers". This book lists all stamps which the United States has issued over the years.

You should be able to track it down in that book. If not, you can always visit your local stamp dealer and I am sure they would be more than happy to inform you of it's value.

Just remember that catalogue value doesn't necessarily mean it's worth that amount. The true market value of stamps are at a fraction of their listed value - generally around 60-80% off.

This is an example of a minimum catalog value stamp. Its catalog value is 20 cents if mint and 20 cents used.
When most US stamps come out they are assigned a catalog value of 20 cents for used and twice face rounded to nearest nickel for mint or 20 cents whichever is more. Most of the US stamps issued in the last 60 years are still at minimum catalog.
The catalog value is a guide to what a dealer charges for this stamp in an individual custom order for it. Mos of this price is to pay the dealer for the labor in locating the stamp in his stocks, replacing it when it is sold, and making up the order. Most of these stamps are sold as part of a packet or collections or mixes of 100 or more stamps for 1 to 2 cents each if used ,and face or less for mint.

After buying a number of such packets or mixes, a collector usually finds that certain stamps are missing and then he may place an order for just these particular stamps in order to complete his collection and pay close to catalog value for them.

Dealers buy used minimum catalog stamps in large lots , collections or accumulations. They do not want to buy such stamps one at a time or in small lots. They pay less than 1/2 cent each for them. They get their mint stamps from the postal service at face while they are available and buy up accumulations of mint stamps for around 80% face . So, if you just have a few such stamps to sell, your only real hope is to find a collector who just happens to need that stamp for his collection. If the stamp is unused, you can use it for postage at its face value. I should add that if the stamp is defective in any way, it is worthless if used.

There were many 4 cent stamps issued in the US as it was the standard 1st class rate for almost 5 years. It will take some detective work to narrow down the search. Use a catalog online or through your local library to identify the specific item. It will also provide an estimated value.

There is no extra charge for the book and I think they all contain 20 stamps,

so $8.40 for current first class stamps.

I have not quite sure what you mean by "Lady Liberty stamp", but

except for some pre Civil War stamps, all unused US stamps are still good for postage at the

price they sold for ( no adjustment for inflation.)

The one exception is the new "forever " stamp which sell for current the first class rate, but

automatically jumps in value when rates go up.

The Queen Victoria orange half penny stamp is worth around $17 if used, and $100 if unused. Some varieties can go as high as $1,000 if unused.

Retail value is about 20 cents mint or uses

This is a common stamp which is easily obtainable. No stamp in good condition is worthless to a collector.

Mint US stamps are always worth their face value if one can find use for them for postage.

The minimum retail price for single stamps varies with the dealer but is around 15 to 25 cents.

Common mint stamps retail for about twice face if this is more than the minimum.

As for selling common stamps-- dealers do not buy them one at a time. They get them by buying collections or accumulations of thousands of

stamps. They usually have all the common stamps they can sell because they get them along with the scarcer stamps.

these were made in the later 1800's and the value can range. I have one that was priced at 15$ because it had folds, was limp, the corners were rounded, and there were a few marks. the value could range into the hundreds of dollars for one only a little better. Please edit with more information.

Many of the stamps are valued in price of approximately $4 each. The amount for each stamp will depend upon the condition that it is in.

About 300 stamps were issued for British Guiana.

But THE British Guiana stamp normally referred to is the 1 cent British Guiana stamp issued in 1856. Only one copy is known to have survived. The last time it was sold it was for $935,000 in 1980.