Selling a Stamp Collection
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We receive many inquiries via our email and our contact form about how to sell or dispose of an inherited stamp collection, and more importantly, what are my stamps worth?
First, here are some reputable third-party discussions on that very subject. At right is a video by Graham of the Exploring Stamps Youtube channel. He gives a nice overview of the options available. Help, I Inherited a Stamp Collection! American Stamp Dealers Association Peter G. Aitken I Inherited a Stamp Collection, Now What? (Note that some of the price points he quotes in Section 5.4 are not reasonable today, as prices have fallen. Do not expect 80% of face value for your post-1940 US Postage.) |
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While opinions may differ, there are some commonalities among most sets of advice. It always starts with a cursory examination of what you have to determine if there is really anything of value. We can often find someone in your area who will be willing to have a look at what you have, at a convenient time and place. The best way is to bring some or all of your material to the What's in Your Attic? table at the Southeastern Stamp Expo in January.
A couple of caveats. Usually, the collections we see are of little value. About 90% of them in fact, so please don't shoot the messenger. You would be surprised how many times a collector offers to look at a collection, determines it's basically worthless, and then is told he has no idea what he/she is talking about, or is treated rudely. Every collector overvalues their collection, so anecdotal comments from your loved one about what his or her stamps were worth, can be very misleading. Lifelong stamp collectors are shocked to find out how little their holdings are worth when they go to sell them. In short, unless the collector was actively attending stamp shows and bidding in auctions, and spending serious money, do not expect the collection to be worth anything.
For United States stamps, here are some guidelines:
A couple of caveats. Usually, the collections we see are of little value. About 90% of them in fact, so please don't shoot the messenger. You would be surprised how many times a collector offers to look at a collection, determines it's basically worthless, and then is told he has no idea what he/she is talking about, or is treated rudely. Every collector overvalues their collection, so anecdotal comments from your loved one about what his or her stamps were worth, can be very misleading. Lifelong stamp collectors are shocked to find out how little their holdings are worth when they go to sell them. In short, unless the collector was actively attending stamp shows and bidding in auctions, and spending serious money, do not expect the collection to be worth anything.
For United States stamps, here are some guidelines:
- Condition is everything. Stamps with creases, tears, parts missing, surface abrasions, heavy cancels, thin spots, missing perforations, etc, are uniformly worthless. Unfortunately, some of the older archiving mounts actually damage stamps, by shrinking and then wrinkling the stamp, or leaving discolorations on the stamp.
- Mint United States stamps after the mid 1930s, with some exceptions, and sometimes even earlier, are worth face value -- if you use them on mail. Otherwise, expect a cash offer of less than 50% of face value.. That is a very fair offer. You are not being scammed. You can find unused US stamps ready for mailing at any stamp show at various percentages of face value. Usually, the smaller the denomination, the less they are worth, because they are so much harder to use.
- Used US stamps after about 1930 (with a few exceptions) are worthless, and you will unlikely get an offer from a collector or dealer. We suggest donating these for youth stamp activities.
- First Day Covers are typically worthless, particulary Artcraft, Artmaster, and Fleetwood and presentation binders like the Postal Commemorative Society. Often this material was sold to non-collectors in binders, with phony cancellations. Typically, anything designed to be a souvenir is not going to be worth anything.