Words and currency
Country names, postal inscriptions and denominations are usually the fastest clues.
32 country identification guides
Identify stamps by picture or country
Wondering, "What stamp is this?" Photograph it for a likely match on iPhone, or start with the inscription, currency, script, portrait and national symbols to identify its issuing country.
Free to download on iPhone. Premium is required for full features.
Which Clues Reveal a Stamp's Country?
Portraits and symbols
Monarchs, coats of arms, flags and national landmarks can identify the issuing authority.
Script and historic names
Cyrillic, Arabic and Asian scripts help narrow the region, while old names reveal former states.
Watermarks and perforations
After finding the country, these physical details help confirm the exact issue or variety.
Most Popular Collecting Countries
United States
#1Since 1847
Native name: United States of America
Easy difficulty
Most valuable: Inverted Jenny ($1.35 million)
View Guide
United Kingdom
#2Since 1840
Native name: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Medium difficulty
Most valuable: Penny Black ($3,000-7,000)
View Guide
Germany
#3Since 1872
Native name: Deutschland
Hard difficulty
Most valuable: Baden 9 Kreuzer Error ($1.4 million)
View Guide
Netherlands
#4Since 1852
Native name: Nederland
Medium difficulty
Most valuable: 10 cent King William III ($40,000+)
View Guide
Canada
#5Since 1851
Native name: Canada
Easy difficulty
Most valuable: 12-penny Black Canada ($50,000+)
View Guide
Australia
#6Since 1850
Native name: Australia
Medium difficulty
Most valuable: Inverted Swan ($37,500+)
View Guide
Browse by Region
Europe
United Kingdom
First issue: 1840
Germany
First issue: 1872
Netherlands
First issue: 1852
France
First issue: 1849
Italy
First issue: 1862
Switzerland
First issue: 1843
Austria
First issue: 1850
Belgium
First issue: 1849
Spain
First issue: 1850
Russia
First issue: 1857
Sweden
First issue: 1855
Norway
First issue: 1855
Denmark
First issue: 1851
Portugal
First issue: 1853
Greece
First issue: 1861
Poland
First issue: 1860
Ireland
First issue: 1922
Asia
Stamp Identification FAQ
How can I identify a stamp from a picture?
Photograph one stamp straight from above in even light, with all perforations visible. StampSnap compares the design, text and colors to suggest a likely country, year and issue, which you can then verify against a country guide.
What if the stamp has no country name on it?
Some stamps do not name their country in Latin script, and the United Kingdom traditionally uses only the monarch's portrait. Currency, script, portraits and national symbols usually narrow it down, and a photo identification can shortcut the search.
Can I identify stamps for free?
Yes. The country identification guides on this site are free, and StampSnap is free to download and try. A premium subscription is required for the app's full features.
How do I identify old stamps from countries that no longer exist?
Historic names, currencies and scripts reveal former states such as Prussia, the Deutsches Reich or Czechoslovakia. The country guides list common historic inscriptions, and a photo match can suggest the issuing authority directly.
Which details confirm the exact issue of a stamp?
After the country and design are identified, watermarks, perforation measurements, paper type and color shades separate similar issues. These physical checks may need a perforation gauge, watermark fluid or an expert opinion.