Stamp collecting guides

Practical, plain-English guides from the makers of StampSnap, the AI stamp identifier. Whether you've inherited an album or found a shoebox of envelopes, start here.

How to identify a stamp: a beginner's guide

The six clues on every stamp — country, denomination, portrait, perforations, watermark and postmark — and how to read them like a philatelist.

How much is my stamp worth?

The seven factors that decide a stamp's value, what "mint never hinged" actually means, and honest advice on when a stamp is worth selling.

10 of the world's most valuable stamps

From the one-of-a-kind British Guiana 1c Magenta to the upside-down Inverted Jenny — the stamps that sell for millions, and why.

Want the fast answer? StampSnap identifies a stamp from one photo and estimates what collectors might pay.