Is there a stamp collecting value guide?
Major catalogs
Scott publishes catalogs for US and worldwide stamps that list values by issue and condition. Stanley Gibbons is a long-standing British publisher that covers British and world stamps. Both update their editions periodically, so the year on the cover matters.
- Scott catalogues for US and worldwide stamps
- Stanley Gibbons catalogues for British and world stamps
- Online databases and dealer price lists
- Reference libraries at local philatelic societies
Using a guide well
Find the stamp's exact catalog number first, then check the value for the matching condition. Catalog values usually assume the stamp is in good condition, so adjust for damage, missing gum, or poor centering.
Remember that a catalog listing is a starting estimate. A dealer's offer is often lower, since the dealer needs room to resell the stamp.
Choose the right edition
Use the most recent edition you can access, and compare two sources when possible. Free online lookups can be useful but may be less consistent than a full printed catalog.
If you want to follow changes yourself, record the price for a few representative items once a year from the same source. Using one source each time makes trends easier to see than comparing numbers from different guides.
Common mistakes
- Using an old catalog edition for current values.
- Assuming the catalog value is what a buyer will pay.
