Know the Value of Old Postage Stamps

There are many factors that affect the value of old postage stamps. How old the postage stamps are is only one factor of value among many.

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One thing that affects the value of postage stamps, old or not, is how rate they are. Another issue that affects the value of postage stamps, especially old stamps, is their condition. The fewer the number of postage stamps that were issued, or if old, the scarcity of the stamps that remain, dictates their value.

The condition that determines the value of old postage stamps falls into different categories. Old postage stamps in mint condition have value because they appear to be new, which is impressive. The value of old postage stamps is also affected by cleanliness and color. Faded old postage stamps have less value than those closer to the original color. Old postage stamps that have been cancelled have less value than those that have not, and old postage stamps with a light cancellation mark have more value than those with dark cancellation marks.

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The value of old postage stamps also requires that they be intact. Old postage stamps that are torn have little to no value. How old postage stamps are perforated also affects value. Being perfectly centered inside the perforations is the ideal for high value, while old postage stamps not well centered or with perforated designs have lower value. Old postage stamps without perforations may have value for being rare, since the original American postage stamps were not perforated; stamps that are unperforated in error also have higher value. But some new stamps are not perforated and not valuable, so you can't assume the value of old postage stamps just based on perforations.

To determine the value of specific old postage stamps, there are various sources of information. Several catalogs are devoted to the purpose of listing the value of old postage stamps. Local stamp dealers and stamp clubs are other good sources for determining the value of old postage stamps. Just because postage stamps are old does not mean they have value. Some old postage stamps from the 1800s only have a book value of 15 cents.

The value of old postage stamps isn't the same as the price you can expect to receive if you sell them. Catalogs show the top price that collectors may expect to pay for old stamps. Stamp dealers who will re-sell your stamps have to pay you less to buy the stamps so that they can make a profit when they sell them for the book price; in other words, they buy old postage stamps for less than their book value. If you are determined to get the maximum value for your old postage stamps, you may need to sell them directly to a collector.