#1 Stamp Identifier Worldwide

Identify Any Stamp in Seconds - Know the Value, Discover the Story

Take a photo—Stampy analyzes country, year, series, catalog number, condition and estimated value instantly. No catalog experience required.

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Jon
JonStampy user
"I bought a mixed lot on a flea market in Amsterdam and found a scarce perforation type in it - sold for 120€."
Marcus
MarcusStampy user
"I sorted around 1400 stamps from an inherited collection in a few afternoons. Now I have them all digitally on my phone - love it."
Kevin
KevinStampy user
“Stampy identified a German inflation-era variety worth 85€ I would’ve missed.”

Found Old Stamps? Inherited a Collection? Sorting a Mixed Lot?

Most people struggle with stamp identification because the details that matter—perforations, watermarks, correct series, color varieties—are nearly impossible to distinguish without expert knowledge.
Stampy does the work for you.

• Identify stamps from 150+ countries
• Detect varieties that look identical to the untrained eye
• Estimate market value based on recent sales
• Scan entire album pages at once
• Spot rare errors and unusual printings
• Organize and catalog your entire collection automatically

How Stampy Identifies a Stamp

Step 1 – Snap a Photo
Hold your phone over the stamp. Stampy reads design elements, script, currency, colors, and perforation outlines.

Step 2 – AI Analysis
Our recognition engine compares your stamp against millions of reference images and catalog listings.

Step 3 – Instant Identification
Country, year, catalog number, type, and known varieties appear immediately.

Step 4 – Value Estimate
Stampy cross-references market data, condition factors, and rarity indicators to provide an estimated value range.

Step 5 – Automatic Cataloging
Save your scans into a digital album, build sets, track duplicates, and organize your entire collection.

Collectors, Hobbyists, and Beginners Love Stampy

Feature Block 1 – Accurate Identification
Recognizes classic and modern stamps with remarkable precision—even in foreign languages or unfamiliar scripts.

Feature Block 2 – Value Estimation
Get realistic value ranges, not inflated catalog numbers. Based on condition, historical sales, and rarity.

Feature Block 3 – Multi-Stamp Scanning
Scan entire album pages. Stampy identifies every visible stamp and sorts them automatically.

Feature Block 4 – Rare Variety Detection
Spot perforation differences, watermark variants, plate flaws, and unexpected color shades that might significantly increase value.

Feature Block 5 – Digital Collection Manager
Build an organized digital inventory. Track what you have, what’s missing, and what deserves expert appraisal.

Feature Block 6 – Built for Beginners
If you’re new to stamps, Stampy makes everything understandable—no catalogs, no guessing.

Feature Block 7 – Trusted by Experts
Collectors use Stampy to speed up cataloging and confirm identifications before deeper research.

Perfect for…

Collectors & Hobbyists
Catalog faster, discover varieties, track value changes.

Beginners & Inherited Collections
Understand what you found without learning philatelic terminology.

Resellers & Dealers
Accelerate sorting, find valuable material, and prepare listings.

Estate Managers & Auction Preparers
Get fast clarity on mixed lots and inherited albums.

A Modern Tool Built on Traditional Philately

Stampy combines classic catalog knowledge with modern computer vision.
It understands:
• Perforation metrics
• Watermarks
• Color profiles
• Series variations
• Print years
• Postmark types
• Rarity patterns
• Market demand trends

You get expert-level identification, instantly.

Stamp Identification FAQ – Identify, Value and Understand Any Stamp

This mega FAQ covers everything about identifying, valuing and understanding stamps – from basic questions like “What is my stamp worth?” to advanced topics such as watermarks, plate flaws, foreign-language issues and AI-based stamp recognition. Wherever it makes sense, we show how an AI-powered stamp identifier app can simplify and speed up the process.

1. Stamp Identification Basics
Core questions on how to recognize and identify any stamp.
How can I identify a stamp quickly?
The fastest way to identify a stamp is to take a clear photo and use an AI-based stamp identifier app. It analyzes design, text, perforation and other features, then matches the image against a large reference database to return country, series and basic details in seconds.
How do I identify a stamp by picture?
Take a sharp, well-lit photo with your phone and upload it to a stamp identifier app. The AI recognizes key visual elements such as portraits, symbols, numbers and inscriptions, then suggests the best match along with catalog information and common values.
What basic information do I need to identify a stamp?
The main details are country, face value, design motif, color, perforation, and any visible year or text. An AI identifier extracts most of this automatically from a photo, while manual identification requires comparing these features to catalog listings.
Can I identify a stamp if I don’t know the language?
Yes. Even if you can’t read the text, an AI-based identifier recognizes the design, alphabet, currency symbols and postal emblems. It can detect the country and series without you needing to understand the language printed on the stamp.
How do I identify the country of a stamp?
Look for the country name, postal symbols, currency and national emblems. If the script is unfamiliar, scan the stamp with an identifier app: it detects language patterns and designs to determine the issuing country automatically.
How do I identify the year a stamp was issued?
Some stamps show the year directly; others require catalog comparison. A stamp identifier app matches your image to cataloged issues and returns the first year of issue, often with related series and commemorative information.
How can I tell if my stamp is a commemorative or a definitive?
Commemoratives usually have special designs issued for events or anniversaries and shorter print runs. Definitives are standard designs used for everyday postage and are printed in larger quantities. An AI tool will classify the stamp type based on catalog data and design characteristics.
How do I identify a stamp without a catalog?
Without a physical catalog, digital tools are the best option. A photo-based identifier app replaces manual page-flipping by automatically suggesting catalog entries, saving time and making it easier for beginners to get accurate results.
Can I identify a stamp from a partial design or damaged corner?
It depends on how much of the design is visible. AI models can often identify stamps even from partial images if key elements like portraits, text fragments, or numbers remain. For highly damaged stamps, combining multiple photos and context increases success rates.
Is there a universal database that covers all stamps?
No single database covers every stamp ever issued, but modern stamp identifier apps integrate large multi-country datasets. They focus on the most collected and commonly encountered issues first, and many expand coverage continuously based on user scans and updates.
2. Stamp Value and Pricing
Questions about how much stamps are worth and how to estimate value.
How can I find out if my stamp is worth anything?
Stamp value depends on condition, rarity, demand, and authenticity. After you identify the stamp with an app, you can see typical catalog values, recent sale prices, and a condition estimate, which together give you a realistic idea of whether it has meaningful value.
Are all old stamps valuable?
No. Age alone does not make a stamp valuable. Many old definitives were printed in huge quantities and remain common. Rarity, condition and demand matter far more than age. An identification tool helps distinguish common from scarce issues quickly.
How do I check the current market value of a stamp?
After identifying the stamp, compare it against catalog values and recent realized prices from auctions and marketplaces. Some stamp identifier apps aggregate sales data and give an estimated market range based on condition and historical sales.
Why is the catalog value higher than what buyers offer?
Catalog values are reference prices, often based on retail or idealized conditions. Actual offers reflect demand, dealer margins, and your stamp’s real condition. A valuation assisted by AI and recent sales data tends to align better with what buyers will realistically pay.
What factors affect stamp value the most?
Key factors include condition, rarity, historical significance, printing errors, demand among collectors, authenticity, and whether the stamp is mint or used. An identification app can highlight some of these attributes automatically during the scan process.
Is a used stamp ever more valuable than a mint one?
Yes. For some issues, a well-centered, lightly cancelled stamp can be rarer and more desirable than a mint example. Certain postmarks, locations or time periods can significantly increase the value of used stamps.
Are full stamp sheets more valuable than single stamps?
Full sheets can carry a premium when they show marginal markings, plate numbers or intact formats collectors seek. However, if the stamps themselves are common, the sheet’s value may still be modest. Identification tools help confirm whether the sheet contains any scarce varieties or positions.
Do first day covers (FDCs) have more value?
Some first day covers are collectible, especially with attractive cachets or scarce postmarks. Many modern FDCs, however, are mass-produced and have limited value. Proper identification of the issue and postmark is essential before assessing value.
Can an AI app tell me exactly what my stamp will sell for?
No tool can guarantee a specific sale price, because markets fluctuate and buyers vary. However, an AI-based identifier can estimate a realistic value range based on catalog prices, condition and comparative sales, giving you a strong starting point for negotiations or listings.
Why do different sources list different values for the same stamp?
Different catalogs use different pricing models, update cycles and grading assumptions. Online marketplaces reflect real-time supply and demand. Using an identifier app that aggregates data from multiple sources provides a more balanced picture.
3. Rarity, Errors and Varieties
Questions on rare stamps, errors, misprints and special varieties.
How do I know if my stamp is rare?
A stamp is considered rare if few copies exist in collectible condition and demand is high. An AI-driven identifier compares your stamp against known issue quantities, catalog notations and recognized varieties to highlight stamps with potential rarity or special features.
What kinds of stamp errors are valuable?
Valuable errors include missing colors, inverted centers, misperforations, double prints and incorrect inscriptions. Minor shifts or tiny printing variations are often common and not especially valuable. An identifier app can help distinguish major errors from normal production tolerances.
Can AI detect printing errors on stamps?
Yes, AI can compare your scan to reference images and detect differences in color, alignment and design elements. It can flag possible errors, though extremely rare or newly discovered varieties may still require expert confirmation.
What is a plate flaw, and is it important?
A plate flaw is a recurring small defect in the printing plate that appears consistently on certain positions. Some plate flaws are popular and can add value. AI image comparison can help detect them by finding micro-differences relative to reference issues in the database.
Are color shades and tints valuable?
Some color varieties are highly sought after, while others are minor shade differences from aging or storage. A good identification app will mention known color varieties and indicate whether a particular shade is recognized in catalogs as a distinct listing.
What is a “specimen” stamp?
Specimen stamps are official overprinted examples used for reference, archives or postal exchanges. Many are collectible and can be more valuable than regular issues. Proper identification of the specimen overprint is essential to avoid confusing it with private markings.
How do I know if my “error” is real or just damage?
Real errors are production anomalies appearing on multiple examples; damage is unique to a single copy. AI comparison with authenticated examples, combined with expert literature, helps distinguish legitimate errors from accidental damage or fading.
4. Catalog Numbers and References
Understanding Scott, Michel, Gibbons and other catalog systems.
What is a stamp catalog number?
A stamp catalog number is a unique reference assigned by catalog publishers (like Scott, Michel or Stanley Gibbons) to identify each stamp issue. It’s used by collectors and dealers to communicate accurately about specific stamps and varieties.
How do I find the Scott number of my stamp?
Traditionally, you would search Scott catalogs by country and design until you find a match. Using an AI identifier app, you can scan the stamp and see the likely Scott number directly, saving significant time and effort.
What is the difference between Scott, Michel and Gibbons numbers?
Each catalog system uses its own numbering scheme and sometimes different descriptions of varieties. Scott is widely used in North America, Michel in Europe, and Gibbons in the UK and Commonwealth. A digital identifier that maps across multiple catalogs helps you work with any system you prefer.
Can a stamp identifier app show multiple catalog numbers for the same stamp?
Yes. Some advanced tools map a stamp to several catalog systems, showing Scott, Michel, Gibbons and others in one place so you can use the numbering relevant to your region or collecting community.
Do I still need physical catalogs if I use an identifier app?
Physical catalogs remain valuable for in-depth research and historical context. However, for everyday identification and pricing, an app is often faster and more convenient. Many collectors use both: the app for quick work and catalogs for deeper study.
5. Foreign and Unfamiliar Stamps
Identifying stamps from countries, alphabets or scripts you don’t know.
How do I identify stamps in alphabets I can’t read (Cyrillic, Arabic, Asian scripts)?
Instead of guessing, scan the stamp with a recognition app. The AI detects script style, national emblems, and design patterns to determine the country and likely issue, even if you don’t recognize the alphabet or language at all.
How do I identify stamps from countries that no longer exist?
Historical entities (like colonies or older political states) issued stamps with their own inscriptions and emblems. An identification app trained on historical issues can recognize these and show you the former country name, time period and modern successor states where relevant.
Can I identify stamps from mixed worldwide kiloware?
Yes. Scanning mixed lots is one of the best uses for a stamp identifier app. You can go through large piles quickly, separating out interesting or higher-value stamps from common material using automated country and value detection.
6. Condition, Grading and Authenticity
How condition is judged and how AI can help grade stamps.
What does “fine” or “very fine” condition mean for stamps?
Condition grades like “fine” and “very fine” refer to centering, perforations, freshness and overall appearance. Better centering and intact perforations usually mean higher grades. AI image analysis can measure centering and detect faults to provide objective grading guidance.
How important is stamp centering?
Centering is a major factor in value, especially for classic issues. Well-centered stamps with even margins are much more desirable than off-center examples. A scan-based tool measures the margins precisely and indicates how your stamp compares to ideal centering.
How can I tell if a stamp has been regummed?
Regummed stamps may show unnatural gloss, gum overlapping perforations, or inconsistent texture. High-resolution scans and side-lighting reveal these differences. Some AI tools can flag suspicious gum patterns, but expert confirmation may still be needed for high-value items.
How do I detect cleaned or altered cancels?
Cleaned cancels can leave faint traces, discoloration or disturbed paper fibers. Image comparison with normal cancellations helps spot abnormal patterns. An advanced stamp identifier may flag cancels that look inconsistent with typical usage for that issue and period.
7. Collections, Inherited Albums and Large Lots
What to do when you have many stamps and little time.
I inherited a stamp collection. Where should I start?
Start by getting an overview: how many albums, which countries, and roughly what time periods. Use a stamp identifier app to scan pages and pick out higher-value stamps or areas of interest. This gives you a quick sense of whether the collection is mostly common material or includes scarcer issues worth deeper evaluation.
Can I scan entire album pages instead of single stamps?
Yes, many modern tools support multi-stamp detection. You photograph a whole page, and the AI identifies each visible stamp, listing them with country, series and indicative values, which dramatically speeds up processing of large collections.
How do I know which parts of a collection might be valuable?
Focus on classic periods, scarce countries, unusual covers and any stamps the app flags as potentially high value. Modern commemoratives from very recent decades are often common, while older issues in good condition can be more promising.
Should I remove stamps from old albums?
If stamps are in good condition and the album is not damaging them, it can be safer to leave them. Remove only when necessary for closer inspection or scanning, and handle carefully with tongs. An identifier app works well even from album pages, so you often don’t have to detach the stamps at all.
8. Selling, Dealers and Auctions
Questions about where and how to sell stamps after identification.
Where can I sell stamps after I identify them?
You can sell to local dealers, auction houses, specialized online platforms and general marketplaces. Identifying and valuing your stamps beforehand with an app puts you in a stronger position to compare offers and avoid underselling rare pieces.
Should I sell a large collection as one lot or in smaller groups?
Common collections may be easier to sell as a single lot. Rare stamps or desirable series often bring higher returns when sold individually or in carefully curated groups. Using an identifier to locate standout items helps you decide the best strategy.
How do I avoid getting a lowball offer for my stamps?
Know what you have before seeking offers. Use a stamp identifier app to identify key items and check estimated values. Then compare quotes from several buyers or consider auctioning better material where competitive bidding can increase realized prices.
9. Storage, Handling and Preservation
Keeping identified stamps safe and maintaining value.
How should I store stamps to protect their value?
Store stamps in acid-free albums or stock books in a cool, dry, and dark environment. Avoid direct sunlight, high humidity and plastic with harmful chemicals. Proper storage preserves the condition that your identification and valuation work depend on.
Can I handle stamps with my fingers?
It is safer to use stamp tongs to avoid fingerprints, bending and accidental tears. Oils and moisture from fingers can damage gum and paper over time, affecting condition and value.
10. AI and App-Based Stamp Identification
How modern technology simplifies and improves stamp collecting.
What is an AI stamp identifier app?
An AI stamp identifier app is a mobile or web tool that analyzes photos of stamps to identify country, issue, catalog references, approximate value and sometimes condition. It uses machine learning trained on large collections of stamp images and data from catalogs and market sources.
How accurate are AI stamp identification tools?
Accuracy is highest for common and well-documented stamps with clear images. For obscure or very rare issues, the app may show best guesses or ask for additional confirmation. Overall, AI dramatically reduces the time needed to identify most everyday stamps accurately.
Can a stamp identifier app replace an expert?
For many routine identifications, yes, the app is sufficient. For high-value rarities, expert certification is still recommended. A good workflow is to let the app find and pre-sort promising stamps, then show those key items to a specialist if needed.
Can I use an AI app to catalog my entire stamp collection?
Yes. Many collectors now scan their albums and let the app build a digital catalog automatically. You can track what you own by country, period, value and condition, making it easier to insure, sell or expand your collection strategically.
Do AI stamp identifier apps work offline?
Some features might work offline, but image recognition and price updates usually require an internet connection to access large databases and current market information. Check your specific app for offline capabilities if you plan to use it at shows or in areas with poor coverage.
Is my stamp data safe when I upload images to an app?
Reputable apps store images and data securely and may anonymize usage statistics to improve recognition quality. Always review the privacy policy and terms of service to understand how your data is handled and whether images are used to enhance the model.
Why should I use a stamp identifier app instead of only manual catalogs?
Manual catalogs are powerful but time-consuming, especially for beginners or large collections. An identifier app speeds up identification, reduces errors, and finds connections and varieties you might miss. You can still combine it with catalogs and expert advice for the best of both worlds.