how to find out how much stamps are worth

When you're wondering how to sell your stamp drove, you're probably also curious almost how much your stamps are worth. Larn how stamps are priced, and so find out about getting an appraisal for your drove.

How Stamps are Valued

The cost of a postage stamp is adamant by several factors:

Rarity: How common is the postage stamp? Were many issued originally? How many are available now?
Condition: Does the stamp look similar information technology just came from the mail service office? If so, it's in "superb" condition. Stamps that are torn, wrinkled, dirty or otherwise damaged lose value. All the same, for some collectors, worn stamps are interesting considering they are evidence of postal history.

Has the stamp been used on an envelope? Although you may exist able to soak it off, it's ameliorate to leave the stamp in place. The envelope — or "cover" — may incorporate historical information that some collectors find important, such every bit appointment, writer and recipient names, every bit well as geographical origin, destination and journey through which it traveled.

A letter that'south been mailed will have a counterfoil, or postmark, on the stamp. The ink should not block the postage stamp's blueprint. However, some unusual cancellations — such as pre-machine hand stamped marks — add together value to a postage stamp. Stamps that have been "socked on the olfactory organ" are sought afterwards. This feature — SON — refers to a cancellation that centers on the stamp. The value arises from its rarity.

Other criteria that touch condition are color soundness, centering, gum, perforation and margins. Stamps are worth more if their colors have not faded due to sunlight, indoor lighting, clay, pollution and human contact. The value is higher if a stamp's design is centered inside its perforations.

A swivel is a small, gummed paper rectangle that attaches the back-side of a postage stamp to an anthology page. Hinges sometimes get out marks on the back and can reduce a stamp'south value. Ideally, the stamp's own mucilage should exist as pristine as possible. Also, complete perforations around a postage'south four edges are preferred. Margins that may incorporate press plate numbers or other inscriptions are found with blocks of stamps.
Purchaser: Postage storeowners, show dealers, individual collectors and sellers through auctions and mail sales often earn dissimilar amounts. Professionals who program to resell stamps buy at prices that let them make profits.
Original purchase prices: If a knowledgeable collector spent a lot of money buying stamps, they probably have significant value.

Historic period: Modern stamps have very express value, usually just a small percent of confront value.

Face value: Stamps with higher face value typically add to a collection's value — of grade, higher original price would add to the value.

Number: Blocks, pairs or sheets of stamps can be worth more than single stamps. Never separate continued stamps.

Storage: Shop stamps in a cool, dry, dark area and then they stay in peak condition. Heat, calorie-free and moisture cause damage. Stamps should be stored upright and never stacked, which causes them to stick together. If y'all have stamps that are attached, don't effort to peel them apart yourself. Seek proficient assistance, or y'all tin can make matters worse.

Although some stamps accept swell innate value, collectors who take action to preserve their stamps retain — or increment — their value.

How Do I Know If My Stamps are Valuable?

The more than familiar you are with the hobby, the better y'all volition be at estimating how much your stamps are worth.

If you're a collector, you probably already have a sense of market place value. You lot have an idea of which stamps — and which countries' stamps — are most valuable. Keep an up-to-engagement inventory of your stamps to monitor market changes. That information serves as a guide to your collection'due south value.

When yous inherit a collection, yous might also receive information that provides clues about the stamps' worth. Consider these questions:

Does the will incorporate details well-nigh value?
Does the collection come with an insurance policy?
Are there invoices, bills of sale or canceled checks from dealers or sale houses? A significant amount spent on a collection oftentimes suggests a loftier value.
Did the collector keep an inventory? If so, are there indications of catalogue numbers? These can be used to look up values.

Whether you're a collector or inheritor, yous're probably going to want to get an idea of your collection's worth before you make up one's mind to sell. Get-go with Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogues, which are benchmark sources in the United States. The information is revised yearly. Each stamp has two listing prices: one for used and ane for mint or unused status. Virtually libraries have copies of the catalogues.

It's of import to realize that the listing prices are not usually what you'll receive for your stamps. Condition is the primary factor and value is more often than not a percentage of the Scott Catalogue value.

Where and How to Get a Stamp Appraisal

Get an approximate of what your stamps are worth earlier selling them by seeking an appraisal. An appraiser can take dissimilar approaches when valuing a collection. For example, you tin observe your stamps':

Catalogue value
Replacement value (through insurance)
Potential sale cost
Retail price if sold in a store
Wholesale value if purchased by a dealer

Appraisers typically focus on important stamps and may spend little or no fourth dimension on common stamps in your collection.

Find a reputable dealer/appraiser through the American Postage stamp Dealers Association, National Stamp Dealers Clan or the American Philatelic Society. Each grouping'southward code of conduct requires members to provide honest, updated appraisals. You can also locate an expert based on dealer recommendations.

The cost of an appraisal more often than not falls between $l and $100 per hour when appraising for insurance value — if non for a written insurance appraisal, Apfelbaum, Inc.'s appraisals are always free.

Appraisals accept different forms:

Make an date, and bring your stamps personally to the appraiser.
Send your stamps through the postal service to an appraiser.
Utilise an appraiser from an auction house for loftier-end collections.

Factors to Consider in Selling a Collection

When determining the best time or method for selling your postage stamp drove, keep these elements in mind:

The value of stamps fluctuates depending upon market conditions. Yous'll go the best cost when the market is strong and there's demand for your stamps. This may mean delaying for a few years, but the expect could significantly increase profits.
Stamps require specific environmental weather to retain their worth. If yous decide to concur onto your collection until the market improves, exist sure to maintain those standards. There's no signal in holding onto stamps if you let them cheapen.
If your collection is incomplete, adding certain stamps could round it out and enhance its value. Consider this step when a drove features stamps from a specific country or historical era.
Stamp collections are typically categorized by value:
- High (worth more $iii,000): Auction houses typically have only loftier value collections.
- Medium (worth $1,000-$iii,000)
- Depression (worth up to $1,000)

In one case you develop an accurate judge of your drove'southward value, you'll be better able to reach potential buyers. There's nothing wrong with shopping your stamps around, looking for the highest toll. Even if you lot receive an offer, you don't have to sell. A sales effort may turn out to be a way to gather information for the futurity.

Source: https://www.apfelbauminc.com/guide-to-sell-a-stamp-collection/chapter-4-what-stamps-are-worth

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