How much are they worth ? As a general rule, a perforated stamp is a damaged stamp and as such a figure of 10% - 20% of catalogue value. However to a perfin collector it is the perfin die itself that tends to be the main interest, so high value stamps may drop to a lower percentage than the more common stamps.

What are perfins in stamps?

In philately, a perfin is a stamp that has had initials or a name perforated across it to discourage theft. The name is a contraction of perforated initials or perforated insignia. They are also sometimes called SPIFS (Stamps Perforated with Initials of Firms and Societies).

Are my postage stamps worth anything?

Stamps may also have value if they were issued no later than about 1960, though this doesn't mean the older the stamp, the more valuable they are. ... Interestingly, stamps with genuine errors of production (for example missing colours) are often worth considerably more than 'normal' issues.

How do I know if my stamps are valuable?

How to Determine Stamp Values

1. Identify the stamp.
2. Find out when was the stamp issued.
3. Know the stamp's age and material used.
4. Determine the centering of the design.
5. Check the stamp's gum.
6. Determine the condition of the perforations.
7. See if the stamp has been cancelled or not.
8. Find out the rarity of the stamp.

What stamps are worth money today?

8 Rare U.S. Stamps That Are Worth Serious Money

1. Inverted Jenny Stamp.
2. 3c George Washington Stamp. ...
3. 1c Benjamin Franklin Stamp (1868) ...
4. 24c Declaration of Independence stamp. ...
5. 1c Benjamin Franklin Stamp (1851) ...
6. 30c Shield, Eagle, and Flags Stamp. ...
7. 1c Benjamin Franklin Vertical Pair. ...
8. 15c Landing of Columbus Stamp. ...

Collecting Perfins

24 related questions found

How do you find the value of stamps?

There are a range of options of how to get stamps valued in this way such as; an in-person appointment with a specialist who works for the auction house, emailing scanned images of items, home visits or some auctioneers hold regional roadshows which you can attend.

Are old used stamps worth anything?

Most cancelled, or used, 20th-century U.S. stamps are worth less than the paper they're printed on. But used stamps are priceless in the way they tell the story of America, through images of its presidents, technological achievements, prominent citizens, and natural wonders.

Is there an app to value stamps?

The must-have app for any stamp collector

The free “Stamp Manager” app takes the stamp collectors' world into the digital age with a mobile desktop platform. ... The app is available for both iOS and android free of charge in the respective app store.

What should I do with old stamps?

Recycle your postage stamps

Postage stamps are recyclable and you don't even need to remove them from the envelope they're on — just throw the whole envelope in the recycling bin and you're done!

Which old stamps are worth money?

The 10 Most Valuable U.S. Stamps

• The Inverted Jenny. (Courtesy of Siegel Auction Gallery) ...
• 1847 Issue Block of 16 of Ben Franklin. ...
• Almanac Stamp of 1765 or 1766. ...
• 'Blue Boy' Alexandria Postmaster's Provisional. ...
• 1869 Pictorials—Inverted Center Errors. ...
• Two-Cent Blue Hawaiian Missionary. ...
• 1860 Stolen Pony Cover. ...
• Pan American Inverts.

Why do some old stamps have holes in them?

The purpose of the holes is to cancel the stamp to prevent its reuse. ... When the perforated initials were punched out of the stamps, they could only be used by the firm that had registered the pattern with the post office. For this reason these patterns are known as security perfins.

What does SG mean in stamp collecting?

SG. This stands for Stanley Gibbons. The SG is either followed by a number or a letter. This reference can then be used to look up the stamp in the Stanley Gibbons catalogue. Each country's first issue is normally SG1, however there are some exceptions.

What is an imperforate stamp?

Imperforate (Imperf): Stamps which have been deliberately printed and issued without perforations, so that they bear straight edges on all four sides. Imprint: When the name of the printer or issuing authority is inscribed on the stamps or in the sheet margins.

How do I sell my old stamp collection?

If you know you have rare stamps, you can sell them through several means:

1. Local Dealer: Dealers handle both collections and individual stamps. ...
2. Mail Order Dealer: If you're not going local, consider working with a mail order dealer. ...
3. American Philatelic Society Circuit Sales: ...
4. Auction House:

Are old unused stamps still valid?

Hayley Fowell of Royal Mail replies: The answer is yes. Stamps without a specified monetary value are described as Non Value Indicator (NVI) and are typically first and second-class stamps. These do not have an expiry date, therefore can be used regardless of the length of time you've had them.

Does anyone still collect stamps?

Today, more than 5 million people in the U.S. alone collect, preserve, and trade or sell stamps. If you are considering becoming a “philatelist,” A.K.A. a stamp collector, as a hobby or an investment, there are a few things you should consider before you get started.

How can I identify old stamps?

To see if your stamp has a watermark, place it face down in a watermark tray, and pour enough watermark fluid over it to cover completely. (Never use water.) The watermark should be visible; how well it shows varies with the stamp. You may not see a whole letter or design, but only part of one.

How can you tell if old stamps are real?

The real stamp glows green. The glow of the counterfeit is more blue, showing off brighteners in the paper (which could trigger cancellation machines). The fakes even have microprinting.

Are old stamps worth more if postmarked?

It's got a unique cancellation on it: Older stamps which are still on the original envelope can sometimes be worth considerably more if a special or rare cancellation mark has been applied. To preserve a stamp's authenticity, never remove stamps from the original piece upon which it was sent.

Where can I sell my stamps?

9 ways to sell your stamp collection

• Stamp magazines. The reputable publication 'Stamp Magazine' (above) is available from larger newsagents and the classified advertising section will help you to locate dealers and collectors who offer a valuation service. ...
• Stamp fairs. ...
• Philatelic Traders Society. ...
• Sell at auction.

What British stamps are worth money?

Most valuable Great Britain stamps

• $9,480,000. British Guiana 1-cent Magenta, 1856. ...
• £550,000. Penny Red stamp, 1841. ...
• £400,000. 6d pale dull purple Edward VII stamp, 1904. ...
• $345,100. Penny Black stamp, 1840. ...
• $159,500. 2d Tyrian Plum stamp, 1910. ...
• $130,000. £1 brown-lilac stamp, 1884. ...
• £85,000. The Roses Error stamp, 1978. ...
• $75,000.

How do you count the perforations on a stamp?

We use a perforation gauge to measure the number of holes or teeth within two centimeters.
...
How to measure perforations

1. To measure your stamp, lay it on the center of your gauge.
2. Slide the stamp up or down until the perforations on the stamp line up with the pattern on the gauge all the way down the length of the stamp.

How do you identify a watermark on a stamp?

Modern U.S. stamps don't have watermarks, but many older ones do, in the shape of a single line or double line U, S, or P. See illustrations below. To see if your stamp has a watermark, place it face down in a watermark tray, and pour enough watermark fluid over it to cover completely. (Never use water.)

What does D stand for on stamps?

the "d" is from the old pound/shillings/penny system of currency used in Great Britain prior to decimalization. So 1d = 1 penny. In those days, 240 pennies equaled one pound, with 12 pennies= 1 shilling, 5 shillings being a crown, 20 shillings = 1 pound.