Sell Stamps For Cash

It’s easy to sell stamps for cash. We’ve purchased over $8 million in postage stamps over the past 12 years, from over 20,000 satisfied customers. 

We Buy ALL Unused U.S.A. Postage Stamps Regardless Of Their Age

*We do NOT purchase Bulk-Rate, Nonprofit-Rate, Presort-Rate, Official, Postage Due, or foreign postage stamps. These stamps will say the mentioned text on them.

How It Works

We make selling your stamps for cash easy. Simply view our rates below. Next, fill out our Packing Slip and include it with your stamps. Then ship your stamps and get paid!

What We’ll Pay For Your Stamps

Fast Payments In As Little As 1 Day!

We have the fastest turnarounds and payment times in the industry. We also offer multiple forms of payment, giving you more options.

Receive payment by check, or choose our PayPal or bank wire transfer option to get paid in as little as 1 day from accepting our purchase offer.

Ready To Get Started?

Click below to see how easy it is to sell stamps for cash.

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Stamps have long fascinated collectors, historians, and investors. Whether acquired through inheritance, years of collecting, or as part of an estate, stamps can hold significant monetary value. For those interested in converting their holdings into money, understanding how to sell stamps for cash is essential. This process involves evaluating the stamps, understanding market dynamics, choosing appropriate sales channels, and preparing the collection for maximum value.

Why People Sell Stamps for Cash

People decide to sell stamps for cash for a variety of reasons. Some may inherit a collection and lack the interest or expertise to maintain it. Others may be long-time collectors ready to downsize or transition to a new collecting focus. Financial needs or the desire to monetize an investment also motivate many sellers. In some cases, individuals stumble upon old stamp albums and hope to turn forgotten items into cash.

Assessing Stamp Value Before Selling

The first step to successfully sell stamps for cash is understanding the value of the stamps. Several key factors determine how much a seller can expect to receive:

Condition

Condition is paramount in determining a stamp’s market value. Mint condition stamps—particularly those that are never hinged with original gum—are typically more valuable than used examples. Used stamps with light, unobtrusive cancellations are preferable to heavily canceled or damaged ones. Elements such as centering, perforation quality, gum condition, and absence of faults (tears, thins, creases, stains) all influence price.

Rarity

Rarity dramatically affects the value of a stamp. Stamps with limited production, unusual errors, or historical importance can be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars, while common stamps, even if old, often have minimal value. Researching the rarity of specific issues using stamp catalogs or expert guidance is essential.

Demand

Market demand plays a critical role in determining price. Stamps from popular countries or themes, such as classic United States issues, British Commonwealth, or airmail covers, usually command stronger prices. Specialized areas like zeppelin flights, postal history, and revenue stamps also have active collector markets.

Completeness

Selling a complete set or a well-organized thematic collection often generates higher prices than selling individual stamps or disorganized accumulations. Buyers prefer collections that are logically arranged and presented in albums, stock books, or display cards.

Provenance and Certification

Stamps with known provenance, certificates of authenticity, or exhibition history tend to achieve better prices. Expertized material, particularly when dealing with scarce or controversial issues, gives buyers confidence and often leads to stronger cash offers.

How to Prepare Stamps for Sale

Proper preparation can make a substantial difference in how much sellers receive when they sell stamps for cash.

Organize the collection: Arrange stamps neatly in albums, stock sheets, or protective sleeves. Group material logically by country, theme, or era. Avoid presenting stamps in bulk envelopes or haphazard assortments, as this discourages potential buyers.

Avoid repairs or cleaning: Do not attempt to clean or repair stamps. Amateur restoration can cause irreparable damage and reduce value.

Gather documentation: Include any receipts, certificates, prior appraisals, or historical records that provide context or establish authenticity.

Inventory key items: Create a basic list of significant items or photograph valuable sections of the collection to help when seeking offers or evaluations.

Handle with care: Use stamp tongs when handling individual items to prevent damage from oils or fingerprints.

Where to Sell Stamps for Cash

Several options are available to individuals looking to sell stamps for cash, each with its own advantages and considerations.

Stamp Dealers

Stamp dealers offer immediate cash offers for collections, sets, or individual rare items. Selling to a dealer is often the fastest and simplest method, especially for sellers unfamiliar with the philatelic market. Dealers evaluate material on the spot and make offers based on wholesale or retail values, allowing for their own resale margin.

To find reputable dealers, consult organizations such as the American Stamp Dealers Association (ASDA) or the American Philatelic Society (APS). Contacting multiple dealers and comparing offers is advisable to ensure fair pricing.

Auction Houses

Philatelic auction houses are excellent venues for selling valuable or specialized material. Auctions expose stamps to a broad audience of motivated buyers, often driving up prices, particularly for rare items. Auction houses typically charge commissions, and the process from consignment to payment can take several months, but final prices can exceed those of dealer sales.

Leading auction houses include Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions, Spink, and Cherrystone Auctions.

Online Marketplaces

The internet has transformed how collectors sell stamps for cash. Several online platforms connect sellers directly with buyers:

• eBay: Offers access to a global audience but requires effort in photographing, listing, packaging, and shipping. Sellers should research comparable sales to set competitive prices.
• Delcampe: Popular in Europe, this platform caters specifically to stamp and collectible buyers.
• HipStamp: A marketplace focused exclusively on philately, offering a more specialized audience than general platforms.

Online selling requires accurate descriptions, clear photographs, and responsive customer service.

Local Stamp Shows and Bourses

Stamp shows provide an opportunity to meet multiple dealers and collectors in one location. Sellers can obtain on-the-spot evaluations and competitive offers. Shows also create opportunities to negotiate and potentially realize better cash offers than at local shops.

Coin and Collectible Shops

Some coin and collectible shops buy stamps, especially if they have a collectibles division. While they may not offer the highest prices for specialized philatelic material, they provide a convenient local option for casual sellers.

Philatelic Clubs and Societies

Local stamp clubs may have members interested in purchasing material, or they may host buy/sell events. National societies sometimes offer sales circuits or classified listings where members can advertise stamps for sale.

Maximizing the Cash Value of a Stamp Sale

Sellers can take several steps to achieve the best possible cash prices:

Research the material: Consult catalogs, online resources, or experts to understand the approximate value of the stamps being offered.

Segment valuable items: Separate rare or high-demand stamps from common material. Selling valuable stamps individually or in small lots often generates more cash than selling an entire collection as one unit.

Present material professionally: Well-organized and clean collections are more appealing to buyers and signal that the seller has taken care of the material.

Avoid rushing the sale: Take time to gather multiple offers and consider different selling venues.

Negotiate carefully: While dealers and buyers may make initial offers, sellers should be prepared to negotiate, especially when dealing with competitive buyers at shows or through online platforms.

Stay realistic: Understand that catalog values often represent ideal retail prices, while actual cash offers typically fall below those figures to allow for resale margins.

Legal and Logistical Considerations

Sellers must also be mindful of legal and logistical matters when they sell stamps for cash.

Secure payment: Use secure payment methods such as wire transfers, bank checks, or verified online payment services. For local sales, cash payments are common, but sellers should take precautions when handling large sums.

Ship with insurance: When shipping valuable material, use insured, trackable services such as registered mail, FedEx, or other specialized carriers. Properly package stamps to avoid damage in transit.

Understand tax implications: Selling valuable assets may have tax consequences. Consult a tax advisor regarding capital gains, sales taxes, or potential deductions if donating unsold material.

Maintain records: Keep detailed records of the sale, including inventory lists, communications with buyers, sales agreements, and payment receipts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoiding common pitfalls helps maximize returns and protects sellers’ interests.

Assuming old equals valuable: Many sellers mistakenly believe that age alone determines value. Research or professional evaluation is needed to identify genuinely valuable items.

Selling in bulk without evaluation: Selling an entire collection as a bulk lot may result in undervaluing key items. Separating valuable material ensures higher offers.

Failing to obtain multiple offers: Accepting the first offer without comparison can lead to lost income. Seeking multiple bids provides leverage and insight into market value.

Misrepresenting material: Sellers should accurately describe condition and authenticity to avoid disputes, especially when selling online.

Neglecting proper handling and storage: Damage caused by poor storage or careless handling can significantly reduce value. Use archival materials and handle stamps with care.