Q&A for How to Find the Value of a Stamp

The forever Liberty Bell stamp is worth whatever the current standard-size letter stamp rate is, currently 0.55c in 2019. For earlier (vintage) Liberty Bell stamps, you’ll need to use a reference book to estimate its value, or talk to a stamp seller about the value.

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. However, if the stamp is rare or the cancellation mark is a special one, perhaps a commemorative or historic cancellation mark, then the stamp may still carry a high value. Many people begin stamp collecting only with cancelled stamps because they’re easy and cheap to obtain and a collection of such stamps can be just as beautiful as uncancelled ones.

Many old stamps have value based on their rarity, beauty and historical interest. Indeed, rare old stamps can be worth high amounts of money. This is from a collectible perspective. If you are asking whether an old stamp can still be used for postage, that depends on the currency stamped on it and the postal service’s rules on the use of older stamps. Just take care not to send a rare, valuable old stamp as modern postage!

The value of stamps is constantly changing, both from a collectible perspective and for modern mailing purposes. It is best to use collector’s philatelic manuals to assess current prices for rare and collectible stamps. For modern stamps used for mailing, check the website of your country’s postal service for stamp prices, e.g., the USPS website for postage rates (in 2019, a standard letter stamp costs 0.55c) or for Australian stamps see Australia Post's website for stamp prices (where in 2019, a standard letter stamp costs $1.00 or 0.65c for a Christmas card).

A forever stamp is worth whatever the current postage rate for a standard-size letter is. So, with the cost of posting a standard-size letter at 0.55c in 2019, the forever stamp is worth 0.55c, even if you paid less for it originally. The forever stamp can be posted any time in the future and the post office will honor it as the current postage rate (unless the rules are changed later). This answer is based on the US stamp, not all countries have forever stamps.

The original 10c First Man on the Moon stamp is worth around 30c-50c (used) and about 40c-80c (new) in current values (2019). A quick search shows a sale of 8 for $1.00 on Amazon and 8 for $5.00 on eBay. The value will vary depending on their condition, whether or not sold singly or as a block and which seller you purchase them from.

To find the value of a postcard set, begin by checking sites that sell postcards, like eBay or specialist collector sites, to see if the set you have already exists and what it is selling for. Also, there are good books on collecting postcards which you can check out from the library or buy for yourself. Since it’s a set, the subject matter will be part of the valuation and whether or not that subject matter is currently in vogue as a collectible; for example, ocean liner postcard sets fetch a high price, whereas generic sets featuring puppies might not be so highly sought after. The usual value requirements for a postcard also apply to a set, such as condition, rarity, age, postmark, artist’s signature, etc. For more help, check out the wikiHow: How to Sell a Postcard Collection .

For postage purposes (US), it depends how torn the stamp is. If it’s just a little tear in a corner but the rest of the stamp is intact, it can still be used for postage as it can still be picked up by the automated cancellation machine for sorting. However, a big tear will render the stamp unusable and invalid. Take it to the post office to see if you can exchange it for a valid one that is not torn (see the USPS Customer Support Ruling May 1995 on torn postage stamps). If the torn stamp is a collectible one, its value will depend on its rarity more than anything else, as few collectors want torn stamps that are commonplace and it’s likely that only a very rare torn stamp would have any value. An exception might be if a famous person, artist or celebrity tore a stamp in public and its collectible value related to that action.

If they are mint and intact as a block, they may be worth around $US3.00 to US$5.00. A single mint stamp from this set is worth around 0.25-0.75c. If used, they’ll be worth a lot less. However, the price also depends on where you sell it and whether buyers want it at this price, as these prices were gleaned from viewing stamp seller prices online and their final price also reflects their business costs.

A search of eBay shows that the value of this stamp is likely to be anywhere from $9.00 to $15.00 as at 2019. As always, the value depends on its condition and whether a buyer wants to pay the price you set or not. Do some research before deciding to sell, as prices change and the reasons for collectors wanting a particular stamp can change too.

Yes, you can check for watermarks on stamps that have them but it’s often too faint to see just with light. In this case, you need to use a special watermark detection fluid made just for this purpose (it won’t hurt the stamp). Obtain some from a store that sells stamps (actual store or online). To use it, put the stamp on a black tray, and carefully drip this special fluid onto the stamp (be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions for use too). If there is a watermark, it will be revealed.

Nothing more than 50 cents. It's not rare and stamps from the 70's are not considered old yet. Sleep on it for another generation.

No, if you are lucky you can sell it for about 40 cents. Maybe in another 30 years it will be worth something.

Yes! Check the internet or ask the local post-office. You may have something very rare on your hands.

Yes! There are stamp-collecting websites all across the web you can consult. Check out the sites from the American Philatelic Society and the American Stamp Dealers Association to search for and look up stamp varieties and prices.

Cut from the bottom. While saving some, make sure you keep a double pair vertically and horizontally. That's all you may need in the future as a collection.

These are called perfins, and some specialty collectors look for them. It really depends on what the letters stand for and what date they were printed. General collectors usually avoid them though.

Yes, if they are in mint condition.

Typically, yes. Unused stamps are typically in better condition overall, which makes them more valuable--the closer to perfect the stamp is, the better! However, there are rare cases where an old stamp with a special cancellation mark will be worth more than it would be if it was unused. Ask a professional or consult a reference book if you want to know the value of a specific used or unused stamp.

Collectors who look for covers may find them valuable, but this is too broad of a question without date and country specifics. Common recent envelopes have little value unless they are a "First Day of Issue."

Yes, mail them to where they made it. They might write back to you.

About 80 cents in 2019, depending on quality and condition. Summer harvest stamps were about 50 cents in 2015 when they first appeared widely.

Not many countries issued stamps in the 1840's; depending on the country and condition, they may be valuable. The other issue is that a great number of forgeries were made of the early stamps. Find a stamp forum and post some images - thestampforum.boards.net has a forgery expert.

Postage stamps as we know them were first issued in 1840. It's likely a regular US stamp with a date printed on it as a commemorative, which means only minimal value.

It is not possible to answer this without knowing the country and date. Some used stamps, especially older ones from certain countries, can be worth more than mint, but usually not. Also, the quality, readability, and positioning of the stamp has a lot to do with value to certain collectors.

These are older and, depending on country and actual date, may have some value. The issues in the 1900's are usually fairly common with minimal value. Look it up on Stampworld.com.

If the envelope is completely blank, then it has no value to cover collectors. Removing the stamp would not change its value, and the gum might be salvageable

It has nothing to do with the number of perforations on a stamp, it's the size that matters. To determine this you will need a perforation gauge available at any hobby shop. Will cost about $3.50 for a good one.

Generally very common, so of little value unless it is an early one from a colony and for a large amount. Look up on stampworld.com.

Look ok eBay or any other buying website to see if you can find the stamps you have and then look at the prices.