You might be surprised to learn that stamp collecting is one of the oldest hobbies in the world. It’s been popular ever since 1840, when the first postage stamp featured a profile of Great Britain’s Queen Victoria. Today, people collect stamps for many different reasons. Some do it for the history, while others do it for fun or the thrill of the hunt. The one question most collectors have no matter why they collect, however, is this: is my stamp collection valuable?

To help you find out, NSA Storage put together this fact-filled article that’s loaded with actionable information. Whether you’ve been stamp collecting for years or just inherited a stamp collection of your own, the info below will help you figure out what it’s worth. Read on to find out more and also learn why the proper stamp collection storage is important.

How To Tell if Your Stamp Collection is Valuable

As with all things we humans collect, some stamps are more valuable than others. Some extremely rare and unique stamps can be worth millions, but the average stamp is usually worth its regular postage price. Being able to tell the difference is a valuable skill for stamp collectors. To do that, here are 4 excellent tips:

1. Check the Age of the Stamp

• The older the stamp, the more valuable it’s likely to be.
• Stamps printed before 1950 are in very high demand.
• Any stamp from the 1800s will be extremely valuable simply because of its rarity.

2. Look Closely at the Stamp’s Condition

• Like most collectibles, a stamp in perfect condition is worth more than a stamp with nicks, tears, blotches, and other imperfections.
• Use a magnifying glass or other magnification device to look closely at any stamp you might purchase.

3. Search for Stamps that are Rare, Imperfect, or Unique

• Rare stamps, as you might imagine, are worth more than everyday stamps.
• Ironically, some stamps with printing errors are often worth more than their correctly printed counterparts.
• Limited edition stamps will often (but not always) become more valuable with time.

4. Check to See if Your Stamp is Postmarked (or Not)

• Another interesting fact about stamp collecting is that an unused stamp is often worth more than one with a postmark.
• Postmark or not, extremely rare stamps are just as valuable.

5. Where Was the Stamp Printed?

• Many collectible stamps were printed in the United Kingdom and other European countries. These are often more valuable than stamps from the United States because they’re older.
• Colonial American stamps from the 1800s are also highly collectible and valuable.

How to Get Your Stamp Collection Appraised

One of the best ways to find out if your stamp collection is valuable is to have it appraised by an expert. If you think your stamp collection might be worth more than just a few dollars, contact these experts to find out:

• A Local Stamp Dealer in Your Area– You can find stamp dealers online quite easily. Then, you can bring your stamps over, have them professionally examined and inspected, and get a rough estimate of their value.
• A Professional Stamp Appraiser– If you have a large or rare collection of stamps, a professional appraiser is your best bet. These are men and women who have many years of experience in the stamp collecting field. Be prepared, however, as most will charge you a relatively steep fee for the service.
• A Stamp Collecting Club– If you have a stamp collecting club in your area you’re in luck! These clubs often have expert appraisers as members. At the very least, they can let you know what to look for and help you identify any valuable stamps you might own.
• Online Stamp Resources– There are several websites where you can get help estimating the value of your stamp collection. They include Stamp World, Mystic Stamp Company, and even eBay. On eBay you can compare your stamps with similar stamps being sold to get an accurate estimate of their value.

Examples of Valuable Stamps

In the animals of stamp collecting, some stamps have left an indelible mark. Below are three of the most famous examples of stamps in the world:

1. The Inverted Jenny (U.S.)- This unique stamp has a printing error: the plane on the stamp is flying upside-down! That makes it worth over $1 million.
2. British Guiana 1c Magenta – This is the world’s most valuable stamp, which was sold for over $8 million!
3. Blue Military Stamp of 1868 (Japan) – This is a rare and highly sought after stamp with a very high value.

Tips for Stamp Storage 

Unlike some collectibles, stamps are quite fragile. They can easily be damaged or even destroyed by moisture, dust, dirt, and other debris. For that reason, storing them correctly is important so that they continue to increase in value. 

Below we’ve listed some of the top tips for stamp storage to help you keep your collection in pristine condition.

• Use Stamp Albums– Stamp albums help you keep your stamps flat as well as clean. They also help you organize them into types, groupings, years, etc. Buy acid free stamp albums to prevent damage to your stamps.
• Don’t Use Plastic Bags– Plastic bags can trap moisture that causes stamps to stick. Instead, use stamp sleeves or the aforementioned albums.
• Keep Your Stamps in a Cool, Dry Place– No matter what you used to store your stamps, always store them in a cool, dry place. That means no attics or basements, which are high in humidity and heat, respectively, that can destroy your precious stamps.
• Never Leave Your Stamps Exposed to Sunlight (Even Indirect Sunlight)– Sunlight is the enemy of any stamp collection and should be avoided at all costs. 
• Don’t Handle Your Stamps Without Using Lightweight Gloves– The oils on your hands and fingers can damage your stamps. Thin, lightweight gloves should always be used, especially with your most valuable stamps.

Use Climate Controlled Storage For Your Stamp Collection

If your stamp collection is large and valuable, and you need to store it somewhere safe and secure, a climate controlled storage unit is your best choice. These specialized storage units keep the temperature and humidity stable throughout the year, which is exactly what your stamps need. Some of the benefits of a climate controlled self storage unit include:

• Protection from humidity and temperature swings
• Safety from theft, damage, prying hands, etc.
• You can organize your stamp collection any way you like in your storage unit. This can make your hobby even more fun and interesting.

Final Stamp of Approval

Collecting stamps is an interesting, satisfying hobby, no doubt. We hope the information provided today will empower you to figure out just how valuable your stamp collection might be. At the end of the day, however, most stamp collectors agree that the hobby itself is more than enough reward.

At NSA Storage, we help people with large stamp collections to store there easily, safely and securely. That includes our climate controlled storage units, which are highly recommended for large, valuable stamp collections. You can easily reserve a storage unit online for your stamp collection or anything else you need or want to store. Once you’re done, your storage unit will be ready to store every stamp in your collection!