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Old stamps price list
Valuable Old Stamps Price List
The table lists reference values for well-known collectible stamps in two common grades. Fine means an average collectible example; mint means unused in the best realistic condition. Open a stamp for the full guide with identification details and value factors.
| Stamp | Country | Year | Fine | Mint | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Guiana 1c Magenta | British Guiana | 1856 | N/A - Only one exists | $8.3 million (unique) | Open |
| Z Grill | United States | 1868 | N/A - Only two known | N/A - None exist | Open |
| Bull's Eye | Brazil | 1843 | $500,000 | $3,000,000+ | Open |
| Treskilling Yellow | Sweden | 1855 | N/A - Only one confirmed | $2.3 million (unique) | Open |
| Basel Dove | Switzerland | 1845 | $1,500,000 | $3,000,000+ | Open |
| Mauritius Post Office | Mauritius | 1847 | $1,200,000 | $2,000,000+ | Open |
| Baden 9 Kreuzer Error | Germany | 1851 | $1,200,000 | $2,000,000+ | Open |
| Inverted Jenny | United States | 1918 | $1,000,000 | $1,500,000+ | Open |
| Mauritius 2d Blue | Mauritius | 1847 | $900,000 | $1,500,000+ | Open |
| Chinese Red Revenue | China | 1897 | $450,000 | $1,000,000+ | Open |
| Hawaiian Missionaries | Hawaii | 1851 | $400,000 | $1,000,000+ | Open |
| Cape of Good Hope Error | South Africa | 1861 | $300,000 | $750,000+ | Open |
| Canada 12d Black | Canada | 1851 | $180,000 | $500,000+ | Open |
| Scinde Dawk | India | 1852 | $45,000-85,000 | $180,000-300,000 | Open |
| Japanese Dragon Stamps | Japan | 1871 | $18,000-45,000 | $100,000-200,000 | Open |
| Western Australia Inverted Swan | Australia | 1854 | $50,000 | $120,000+ | Open |
| Columbian Exposition | United States | 1893 | $12,000-20,000 | $40,000-75,000 | Open |
| Three Skilling Banco | Sweden | 1855 | $28,000 | $65,000+ | Open |
| French Ceres | France | 1849 | $18,000 | $55,000+ | Open |
| Austrian Mercury | Austria | 1851 | $14,000 | $45,000+ | Open |
| Sardinian Horseman | Italy | 1851 | $12,000 | $38,000+ | Open |
| Spanish Isabella | Spain | 1851 | $10,000 | $30,000+ | Open |
| Russian Imperial | Russia | 1857 | $8,500 | $28,000+ | Open |
| Belgian Epaulettes | Belgium | 1849 | $6,500 | $20,000+ | Open |
| Two Penny Blue | United Kingdom | 1840 | $1,200-2,500 | $8,000-20,000 | Open |
| Penny Black | United Kingdom | 1840 | $2,500-4,000 | $7,000-15,000 | Open |
Values describe specific examples and grades. A similar-looking stamp can be a common printing worth far less, so verify promising finds before buying or selling.
How Much Are Old Stamps Worth?
Less than most people hope, with a small number of dramatic exceptions. Billions of stamps were printed in the twentieth century, so a used stamp from 1950 is usually worth a few cents even though it feels historic. Prices climb when three things line up: an early or scarce issue, a variety such as a watermark or printing error, and strong condition. The old stamp identification guide shows how to work through an inherited album, and what makes stamps valuable explains the pricing mechanics.
How Do I Read Catalog Prices?
Catalog values assume a specific grade, and grade moves prices more than most collectors expect. The same stamp can differ by a factor of ten between a damaged copy and a well-centered one, which is why this price list shows two grades side by side. Condition terms like fine and very fine have precise meanings, covered in stamp grading explained. When a stamp on this list looks like a match, compare the identification details in its guide before assuming the price applies.
Where Can I Check Stamp Prices for Free?
Photograph it
StampSnap identifies a stamp from a photo and shows an estimated value range, so you know which stamps deserve a closer look. The app is free to download.
Use library catalogs
Many public libraries keep current Scott or Stanley Gibbons catalogs in their reference section, which saves buying a multi-volume set for a one-time lookup.
Search auction archives
Auction houses publish realized prices, which reflect what buyers actually paid. They are the best reality check on optimistic catalog figures for scarcer material.
Ready to price a whole collection? Start with the most valuable stamps in the world to rule out the famous rarities, or read about professional stamp appraisal when a formal valuation is needed.
Stamp Price Guide FAQ
Is there a free online stamp price guide?
Yes, this page is one. It lists reference values for famous collectible stamps by condition and explains how to price everything else. For a value estimate of a specific stamp in front of you, photograph it with StampSnap; for a sale or insurance figure, have the stamp appraised professionally.
How much are old stamps worth?
Most used stamps from the last hundred years sell for a few cents each, even when they look old. Value concentrates in a small group: early classics from the 1840s to 1870s, printing errors, scarce watermark and perforation varieties, and stamps in unusually fine condition. That is why identifying the exact issue matters more than age alone.
What is the difference between catalog value and market value?
Catalog values, such as those in the Scott or Stanley Gibbons catalogs, are reference prices for a stamp in a defined grade. Actual market prices are usually lower: dealers buy well below catalog, and auction results depend on condition and demand on the day. Treat a catalog value as a ceiling for a very fine example, not a promise.
Do I need a Scott catalog to price my stamps?
The Scott and Stanley Gibbons catalogs are the standard references, and many public libraries keep current editions. A faster route is to identify the stamp first, then look up only the issues worth checking. A photo identification narrows a shoebox of stamps down to the handful that deserve a catalog lookup.
Sources & References
- Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps & Covers - Amos Media Company
- Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogue - Stanley Gibbons Ltd.
- Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries - Siegel Auction Galleries
- American Philatelic Society - American Philatelic Society
Price your own stamps
Find out which of your stamps are worth a lookup
Photograph any stamp with StampSnap to see its country, year, rarity and an estimated value range, then use this price guide to put the number in context.
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