World
Stamp
Stamp Identification - Evaluation
1845 to 2010

Eureka! 
You have found an old postage stamp. 

What stamp do you have?
How much is it really WORTH?

Catalogs can help you.
But they cost a lot and take a lot of research (looking and reading). 
Then there are identification books.
They also cost a lot and take a lot of time.

Finally you get a catalog and you find your stamp, only to learn that there are many stamps just like it.  Then there are all these terms that you don't understand like, grill, watermark, transfer, rosette, flat plate, embossed, re-cut, etc.
What?
There are other stamps that look just like your stamp.
Which one is it?

As an example:  In the United States stamps of the 1908 to 1923 regular issues, commonly know as the Washington-Franklin issues, the 2 cent Washington has about 75 variations.
Yes 75 variations.
Unbelievable, but it's true.
It's a stamp dealer and collector's nightmare.

Here is why:
Types:  9 different
Perforations:  7 different
Color shades:  Various (carmine to reddish colors)
Carmine, bright carmine, dark carmine, deep carmine, scarlet, light carmine, carmine lake, lake, red, rose red, dark rose red, carmine rose, deep rose) 
What idiot came up with these carmine shades.  What is the difference between dark carmine and deep carmine.
Watermarks:  2
Coils: 2
Imperforates
Bureau Precancels
Overprints
Errors??  Many different types

Other stamps have similar problems with such things as:
Secret Marks
Grills:  A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J and Z (Split, double, quadruple, end roller, etc.)
Paper:  Soft, hard, double, ribbed, etc.
Special Markings:  Cap, double cap, flame, leaf, lines, arrows, etc.

Damaged Stamps
Damage to stamps reduces the value of the stamp drastically from its Scott Catalog Value to about 10% (minor errors down to 20%).  This means that a $100 stamp may only be worth $10.  Or a $10 stamp worth $1. Damage to stamps come in many forms and here are some of them:
Thins, tears, holes, creases, spots, discoloration, cut, etc.

Okay, I can't totally identify or evaluate a stamp over the internet with a picture.  It is virtually impossible, the stamp may require on hand closer scrutiny, or even expertizing.  It may need to be checked for watermarks, perforations, paper, etc.,  but what I can do is give you a quick ballpark identification/evaluation as to what your stamp could be and if it needs to go to the next step.  Which is, closer scrutiny and/or expertizing or professional stamp grading (especially for stamps in the grades of XF90, XF/S95, S98 and Gem100).  (See pictures listed)

What you will get
Scott Catalog Number:
Scott Catalog Value:
Year of Issue:
Varieties and/or Scott Catalog Number possibilities:
Basic stamp pre-grading:
Condition:
Error, Freak or Oddity: 
 

As an example:  The 1st stamp pictured on this listing is:
Scott Catalog Number:  65
Scott Catalog Value:  $3 Used
Year of Issue:  1861
Varieties and/or Scott Catalog Number possibilities:  None
Basic stamp grading: FVF75 with Jumbo left and right sides.
Condition:  Faulty (Nibbed perforations at top & bottom of stamp)
Error, Freak or Oddity:  Misperf with guideline upper left corner. (see pictures)

Pre-Grading:
Take a look at picture #4
Scott Catalog Number:  921
Scott Catalog Value:  $0.25 MNH
Year of Issue:  1943
Varieties and/or Scott Catalog Number possibilities:  None
Basic stamp grading: Very well centered.  From the SMQ: (Could be a XF/S95 ($12) , Superb98 ($25) or maybe a Gem100 ($95))
Recommend be sent in to get graded.
Condition:  No faults.
Error, Freak or Oddity:  N/A

What to do

Send only one item per scan (front & back). Blocks, covers, or sheets will be counted as a single item. Sets of stamps may be submitted in a single scan, but the opinion rendered will usually apply to only one stamp in that set.

Scan your stamps in .gif or jpg format,

image quality should be at least 200 dpi preferably higher for quality viewing.


Save the image/s to a folder that you will remember which one it is when uploading

When scanning a philatelic item for identification, remember to take it out of its protective glassine cover.


Otherwise the image will may be distorted.

For items from the Internet, simply copy the image and save it in a folder; from there you can treat it like a scanned image.

Send image to me via 'Contact Seller"

Normally I will get back to you within 24 hours.