- This topic has 5 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 10 months, 3 weeks ago by
.
-
Posts
-
I am an very very old philatelist and have been collecting stamps since I was born. No, that's a joke. I inherited my great-great-grandfather's collection and have been collecting ever since. I find your stamps very amusing and would like to ask if I can buy them.
My wife is a HUGE collector and her hobby/obsession/passion has taken over the basement. She attends a couple of shows every month in neighbouring cities and has gotten involved in regional and national organizations. It's gone way over the top. I keep joking if there's a PA, philatelist's anonymous.
My dad passed a few months ago. He collected stamps and coins since I was a kid. Its taking me awhile to go through his stuff since ive little time ATM.I know nothing on stamp value. Any tips?
I’m really sorry for your loss. Going through a parent’s collections can be emotional and overwhelming, especially when you’re short on time. Here are some simple, practical steps to help you handle your dad’s stamp (and coin) collection without getting stressed or accidentally giving away something valuable:
---
## **1. Don’t rush to sell or sort everything at once**
Stamp and coin collections often have *a few* valuable pieces mixed in with many low-value ones. Taking your time is totally okay.
---
## **2. Keep everything together and protected**
Until you’re ready to sort or get help:
* Store albums and loose stamps in a dry place
* Avoid handling stamps with your fingers if possible (oils can damage them)
* Keep coins in their holders and don’t clean them—cleaning can destroy value---
## **3. Get a sense of the collection’s scale**
A quick overview will help you know what you’re dealing with:
* Are there organized albums?
* Boxes of loose stamps?
* Sheets, foreign stamps, first-day covers, or anything labeled “mint”?
* Any notes your dad left about purchases or favorites?This helps you later with appraisers.
---
## **4. Learn the very basics of stamp value**
Most stamps fall into categories:
* **Common stamps** (most collections): low value but still interesting
* **Better stamps**: older (pre-1940), mint condition, or from certain countries
* **Rare stamps**: often professional evaluation neededKey things that affect value:
* **Condition:** gum intact on the back, no tears, bright color
* **Age**
* **Country of issue**
* **Whether it’s mint or used**Coins work similarly—condition and rarity matter most.
---
## **5. Look for anything obviously special**
These are worth setting aside for appraisal:
* Stamps in protective mounts or labeled as “Mint Never Hinged (MNH)”
* Individual stamps in plastic holders
* Full sheets of older stamps
* Silver or gold coins, proof sets, or anything boxed/graded
* Albums with handwritten notes like “Scott # value ___”---
## **6. Don’t rely on old price guides**
Collectors sometimes kept catalog values that are outdated. Real market value is usually lower.
---
## **7. Get a *reputable* appraiser or local club**
When you’re ready:
* Local stamp clubs often help for free or cheap
* Coin shops can evaluate coins
* AAPS (American Philatelic Society) maintains a list of trusted dealers/appraisersYou can also:
* Take a few photos of pages you think look interesting (I can help identify what might matter)
* Ask an appraiser to evaluate the entire collection instead of cherry-picking---
## **8. Decide what *you* want to keep**
Some people keep:
* A favorite album
* A few pages tied to childhood memories
* A special coin or twoEven if you sell the rest, you can keep the sentimental pieces.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
