Where To Sell Old Stamps – 10+ Best Places To Sell Stamps For Cash

Whether you’re new to the world of stamps, an experienced collector, or someone who inherited a collection, you might be wondering what the best way to sell your stamps for cash is.

Well, the great news is that old stamps can hold surprising value! 

After all, there's a community of stamp collectors around the world. So, if you want to make quick money while cleaning out your home, you can always sell your old stamps and liquidate your collection.

Looking for more ways to make money besides selling your collection? Checkout:

• EarnIn: Borrow up to $750 against an upcoming paycheck!
• Best Match Auto: Save up to $600+ per year with this free car insurance quote tool!

Where To Sell Stamps For Cash

If you have a stamp collection that's currently collecting dust in your house and you need some extra money, you're in luck.

It's time to explore some of the best places to sell stamps that you can use for this unique side hustle.

1. Sotheby’s

One of the best places to sell stamps for cash is Sotheby's, a British-founded American broker of decorative and fine arts, jewelry, and other collectibles.

It’s one of the world’s largest and most trusted marketplaces for art and rare collectibles. Plus, it's backed by a global network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 44 departments.

Sotheby's hosts over 600 auctions annually. And if you want to sell your old stamps to it, the process is fairly simple.

Here's how it works:

1. Describe Your Stamps: Describe the history, dimensions, current condition, and include any documentation.
2. Add Photos: Take good quality photos of the stamp or your stamp collection.
3. Review And Submit: Submit your inquiry and wait for the specialists at Sotheby’s to review it.
4. Sell Your Stamps: Sotheby’s sends you an estimate if it wants your stamp collection, and you can then submit it to one of the upcoming auctions to try and find a buyer.

Although the estimate it gives isn't a guaranteed amount that your stamps will sell for, Sotheby’s consistently meets or exceeds their pre-sale estimates.

Extra Reading – Is Rocket Money Legit?

2. Warwick & Warwick

If you have no idea where to sell your old stamps, Warwick & Warwick is a great place to start!

This company is home to one of the leading international providers of philatelic valuations (that means stamp valuations.)

Warwick & Warwick actually has four stamp experts with over 100 years of combined experience, making it a credible and knowledgeable resource if you’re looking to sell some stamps.

The written philatelic valuations that it provides are carefully researched, reliable, and accurate.

Overall, Warwick & Warwick can help you make an informed decision on what to do with your collection, whether it’s selling at a public stamp auction, selling by private treaty, or keeping the collection for another generation.

Not to mention the valuations are free, with no obligation to sell!

All you have to do is reach out to them by phone or email and tell them about your stamp collection to start the process.

3. West Coast Stamp Company

The West Coast Stamp Company is a great place to sell stamps of any size from any country.

The website has actually spent over $100 million stamp collections over the past 30 years according to its website, making it one of the largest stamp buyers out there.

And one perk of selling old stamps to West Coast Stamp Company is that you get valuations free of charge, and it also provides current market values for both retail and wholesale pricing.

Shipping is free and fully-insured as well. Alternatively, West Coast Stamp Company sends a representative to you to inspect and collect your stamps if you have a valuable enough collection.

If you end up selling your stamp collection to West Coast Stamp Company, you also get paid the same day through wire transfer.

👉 33 Legit Ways To Save More Money At Home.

4. eBay

It doesn't matter if you're selling stamps for cash online or flipping money by running a resale business; eBay is one of the most popular marketplaces in the world.

And eBay is particularly great for selling collectibles, ranging from vintage stamps to random collectables like Pokemon cards or Beanie Babies.

One of the main perks of selling on eBay is the massive audience the marketplace has. After all, there are millions of active buyers on eBay from all around the world.

And eBay also lets you sell old stamps in two ways:

• Fixed Price: Set a final sale price for your old stamps or stamp collection.
• Auction: Let buyers bid on your stamps in eBay's classic auction style of selling.

Auctioning on eBay is especially good for rare and collectible items as collectors are likely to bid higher prices for them.

Additionally, auctioning your stamps removes the burden of coming up with your selling price and lets the market determine the value, meaning all you have to do is set the starting price.

However, unlike some other online places to sell stamps, you have to create listings yourself. But this just involves taking photos of your stamps, writing a listing description, and managing things with the buyer post-sale.

Packaging and mailing are also your responsibility unless the sale is local.

Just note: although listing on eBay is free, you usually pay around 12.55% in selling fees for most categories.

5. Mercari

Mercari is another online marketplace platform where you can sell almost anything, ranging from old stamps to Funko Pops.

Stamps aren't a super popular thing to sell on Mercari, but you can still find listings, and the app is very popular in the United States.

Making listings is free, and you just need to take photos of your stamps, write a listing title and description, and set your price.

From there, buyers can message you to ask questions or simply buy your stamps.

As the seller, you can offer free shipping or pass the shipping expense off to the buyer. But one Mercari selling tip is to offer free shipping so it incentivizes buyers to shop with you.

Now the tricky part is establishing a price for your item. You set your own prices on Mercari, so you need to know what your stamps are worth.

If you have absolutely no idea what your stamps are worth, consider getting a free valuation from The West Coast Stamp Company or Warwicks & Warwicks.

Anyways, once your buyer receives their stamps, all they have to do is confirm that the package arrived as described.

You get paid once the review process is complete. You can cash out from your Mercari account through direct deposit.

Mercari fees include a 10% final sale fee and payment processing fee of 2.9% plus $0.30

Overall, it's an easy way to sell old stamps for cash, and you can also sell other unused goods like electronics, shoes, sports cards, and toys.

Extra Reading – Mercari vs eBay – Which Platform Is Best For Sellers?

6. Sandafayre

Whether you’re looking to sell individual stamps or an entire collection, Sandafayre has experts who can help you get the best price for your stamps.

This company is over 40 years old, and it's one of the world’s leading philatelic auctioneers and specialist dealers.

Sandafayre is very experienced in describing, photographing, and displaying your stamps to get the highest level of interest from their global client base.

There are two different ways to sell through Sandafayre:

• Outright Sale: Get a quote from Sandafayre and accept the sale to get paid quick cash immediately for your stamps.
• Auction Sale: Submit your stamps to one of Sandafayre's public auctions that occur every 3 months in the UK.

Outright sales are useful if you need money fast, but if your stamps are valuable enough, the auction option gets your collection to a worldwide audience.

Auctions charge a commission fee on the ‘Hammer Price’ which is the price that the Auctioneer sells your stamps for at the auction.

In contrast, selling stamps outright doesn't charge additional fees.

If you want to see what kind of offer Sandafayre would make for your stamps, send an email with some images of your stamps. Sandafayre suggests taking 5-6 photos of your stamps, including your name, and where in the world you’re located.

From there, Sandafayre responds with feedback and recommends next steps if it wants to buy your old stamps.

7. Mystic Stamps

Mystic Stamps is one of the largest buyers of stamps and stamp collectors in the United Stamps going back to 1923.

In the last 5 years, it's spent over $72 million buying stamps, so it's another massive player.

One perk of selling old stamps to Mystic Stamps is that its team of experts value your stamps. You also get paid immediately if you accept the offer.

Mystic Stamps also has a service that lets you identify any stamp for $5 per item.

All you have to do is fill out a simple online form and include a photo or scan of your stamp. Once you submit the information, Mystic Stamps gets back to you in 3-5 business days with its findings. 

Identifying the stamps you have is the first step in selling. So if you're trying to sell rare stamps and need a starting point, this service is very useful.

8. Apfelbaum

Apfelbaum has been buying and selling high-quality stamps for over a century. Unsurprisingly, it also has a reputation as being one of the best places to sell stamps because of its history.

Overall, Apfelbaum has a reputation for excellent customer service, expertise, and experience, putting your stamps in good hands.

As a seller, Apfelbaum makes you an offer price for your collection if it's interested and can pay you with cash immediately if you accept.

And its comprehensive appraisal for your collection is free of charge, so there's no harm in getting a quote. If you end up selling your stamps to Apfelbaum, shipping is free as well.

9. Facebook Marketplace

Selling on the Facebook Marketplace is a great idea if you're selling stuff like clothing, sports equipment, or random home goods.

I've actually sold plenty of things on Facebook Marketplace, ranging from shoes to watches over the years. And you can sell pretty much anything on Facebook Marketplace, including vintage stamps!

The Facebook Marketplace shows listings that are within a certain radius of you. This means you’re dealing with buyers who are near you and meet in person for a cash sale.

The local selling nature means it might be hard to find stamp collectors to sell to if you live in a small area. But in large cities, you never know!

You don't pay listing or selling fees. But you have to manage sales and negotiate with buyers yourself, which is a downside.

10. Craigslist

Like Facebook Marketplace, another option you can use sell stamps for cash near you is to post your collection on Craigslist.

This local classifieds site is popular for selling all sorts of things, ranging from used furniture to more niche collectibles like stamps.

Posting things for sale is also completely free. And once your listing is live, buyers can contact you to negotiate on price, ask questions, or arrange a meeting time.

If you live in a medium to large city, you might find plenty of interested stamp collectors nearby.

Extra Reading – Craigslist vs Facebook Marketplace For Sellers.

11. Century Stamps

Century Stamps is a Canadian-based company that buys stamps, coins, silver, gold, and jewelry for cash.

The company has actually been in business since the 1940s. And if you drop by its Toronto office, you can get an instant quote for your old stamps and make the sale that same day.

The company also says that it can quote some items over the phone. And you can complete a submission form on its website to begin the process of selling your stamps and other collectibles.

Extra Reading – Where To Sell Fine China.

12. Flea Markets

One final place to sell old stamps is to rent a table at a flea market.

Flea markets are truly a great place to sell all of your niche collectibles, including vintage stamps and entire collections.

It’s definitely the type of place you can find your target clientele, with lots of fellow collectors and history buffs.

Selling at flea markets does cost money since you have to pay for a table as a vendor.

However, if you have a big collection of stamps, the upfront table rental fee might be worth it. And you might sell your collection pretty quickly!

Just do some research at the flea market you're considering to see if people are selling collectibles, antiques, and historical goods.

Extra Reading – The Best Places To Sell Old Postcards.

What Makes Stamps Valuable?

Now that you know where to sell old stamps, it's important to know what factors impact stamp prices so you can properly value your collection.

Stamps fall into two main categories: 

1. Stamps issued before 1930
2. Stamps issued after 1930

Stamps issued after 1930 have their prices directly on them.

Although a stamp printed in the 30s may seem old, they’re still worth face value. This means despite its age if the stamp says 5 cents on it then it’s still worth 5 cents today.

Stamps issued before 1930 are the stamps you should be looking to sell. These are vintage stamps and can sell for much more than more recent stamps.

This isn’t to say that all pre-1930 stamps are valuable. However, since there are some that can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Of course, the condition of your stamps influences value as well.

Stamps that look like they just came from the post office are going to get the highest value, whereas stamps that are torn, wrinkled, or dirty will have lower value.

That said, the only way to know the value of your stamps for sure is to get them appraised by an expert.

Some collectors actually like stamps that appear worn as it represents evidence of the stamp’s postal history. But for the most part, stamps in perfect condition that are older than 1930 are the most valuable.

Tips For Selling Old Stamps For Cash

Now that you know some of the best places to sell old stamps, here are a few tips you can keep in mind to make the selling process more effective and seamless.

1. Do Your Research: Figuring out the value of your old stamp collection is critical if you don't want to get ripped off. So, do your own due diligence or ask professionals to provide an appraisal before rushing into a sale.
2. Try Multiple Buyers: The best places that buy stamps offer free appraisals and advice, so take time and talk to several buyers to try and get the highest offer possible.
3. Be Professional: Always be professional when selling stuff, especially high-value collectibles. This means being timely with your responses and also being polite, even if you get an offer you're not happy with.

Extra Reading – 10+ Ways To Earn Using Your Home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Buys Old Stamps Near Me?

The best way to sell stamps for cash near you is to use local selling websites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. You can also work with a local auction house if you live in a larger city that has one, or even try a local museum if it's interested.

Pawn shops are also an option for selling old stamps near you. Just note that you might get lowball offers since pawning things is usually a last resort for many sellers.

With that in mind, for niche collectibles like old stamps, I think selling online is best since buyers can search for your specific stamps.

Can I Make A Lot Of Money With My Stamp Collection?

Many stamps aren't worth much, and ones printed after the 1930s are generally worth face value. So, it's only old, rare stamps that tend to have hefty price tags.

However, if your collection is in good condition, you can still consider selling it to a collector and can make decent money for your efforts.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re looking to sell a single stamp or a whole collection, there are plenty of great options for you.

If you’re new to the world of philately, definitely consider taking advantage of the free appraisals. This lets the experts take care of doing all of the research.

You could even reach out to a couple of different places and see which one gives you the highest offer.

If you’re into philately, you might also enjoy getting into an auction house or a flea market yourself to see other collections and meet people who share your interests.

But if you have quality stamps, you shouldn't have a problem selling them and making some extra cash!