Inherited a stamp collection? Looking to sell your own stamps? Whether you have a few valuable stamps or boxes of albums, this guide covers every option for selling stamps, from eBay to auction houses.
Step 1: Know What You Have
Before selling, you need to identify and value your stamps. Here's how:
- Sort by country - Group stamps by country of origin
- Identify valuable stamps - Look for pre-1900 stamps, errors, and mint condition
- Check current prices - Use eBay "sold listings" or catalog values
- Separate the good from the common - Most stamps are worth pennies; focus on the valuable ones
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Try StampScan FreeStep 2: Choose Where to Sell
Option 1: eBay
Best for: Individual valuable stamps, small collections
Pros
- Largest audience of buyers
- You control the price
- Good for stamps $10-$500
Cons
- 13% fees (eBay + PayPal)
- Time-consuming to list
- Must handle shipping
eBay Tip: Always check "Sold Items" to see actual selling prices, not just asking prices. Search for your exact stamp and filter by "Sold."
Option 2: Stamp Dealers
Best for: Large collections, quick sales
Pros
- Quick and easy
- No fees or shipping
- Expert evaluation
Cons
- Get 20-50% of retail value
- May cherry-pick valuable items
- Local dealers may have limited interest
Option 3: Auction Houses
Best for: Rare stamps worth $500+, specialized collections
Pros
- Best prices for rare stamps
- Expert cataloging included
- Serious collector audience
Cons
- 15-25% seller's commission
- Takes 3-6 months
- Minimums often $500+
Option 4: Online Stamp Marketplaces
Best for: Mid-range stamps, collectors selling to collectors
| Platform | Fees | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| HipStamp | 6.5% | US stamps, general |
| Delcampe | 5.1% | European stamps |
| Stampboards | Free | Australian stamps |
Step 3: Prepare Your Stamps for Sale
- Take quality photos - Good lighting, sharp focus, show both sides if relevant
- Write accurate descriptions - Include country, year, catalog number, condition
- Grade honestly - Overgrading leads to returns and bad reviews
- Package properly - Use cardboard, glassine envelopes, tracking
What to Expect: Realistic Pricing
Reality Check: Most stamp collections sell for 10-30% of catalog value. Only rare, high-demand stamps sell at or above catalog. Common stamps from 1940+ often sell for pennies or face value.
| Collection Type | Typical Value | Best Selling Method |
|---|---|---|
| Modern mint stamps (1970+) | Face value or less | Use as postage |
| General worldwide mix | $10-100 per album | eBay lots, dealers |
| Specialized country collection | 20-40% of catalog | Specialized dealers |
| Rare individual stamps | 50-100%+ of catalog | Auction houses |
Finding Reputable Buyers
US Auction Houses
- Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries
- Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions
- Cherrystone Auctions
- H.R. Harmer
UK Auction Houses
- Spink
- Stanley Gibbons
- Grosvenor Auctions
- Cavendish Philatelic Auctions
Dealer Associations
- American Stamp Dealers Association (ASDA)
- American Philatelic Society (APS) dealer directory
- Philatelic Traders Society (UK)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Selling too quickly - Take time to research values
- Accepting first offer - Get multiple quotes from dealers
- Ignoring condition issues - Be honest about faults
- Breaking up sets - Complete sets often worth more together
- Removing stamps from covers - Postal history can be more valuable
Start Identifying Your Stamps
Use StampScan to quickly identify and value your stamps before selling.
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