Instant stamp identification

Point your camera at any stamp. Know exactly what you have.

Curiosa's image recognition engine analyzes the stamp's design, denomination, country inscription, perforation pattern, color shade, and printing method in a single scan. Within seconds, you receive the stamp's full identity: issuing country, catalog number, year of issue, variety, and a real-time value estimation based on completed auction data - all from a single photo. For best results, check our scan tips before capturing your stamp.

Country and catalog matching

Over 900 postal entities have issued stamps since the world's first postage stamp, the Penny Black (Great Britain, 1840). Curiosa identifies stamps from major philatelic countries including the United States, Great Britain, France, Germany (including states and occupation issues), China (Imperial, Republic, and PRC), Japan, Australia, Canada, and India. You can explore all scanned stamps in our stamps archive.

The AI maps identified stamps to their Scott catalog numbers (primary reference for US collectors) and where possible to Stanley Gibbons numbers (preferred for British Commonwealth). This allows immediate cross-referencing with standard philatelic literature and price guides.

Perforation and printing method analysis

Perforation gauge (holes per 2cm) is a critical identification tool. The same stamp design often exists in multiple perforation varieties with vastly different values. A US 1917 Washington 2c exists as perf 11 (Scott 499, $0.25) and perf 10 (Scott 500, $250+). Curiosa measures visible perforation patterns from your photo. Imperforate stamps (without perforations) are identified separately and are often significantly rarer.

Printing methods also distinguish varieties: engraved (intaglio) stamps show raised ink you can feel with a fingertip, lithographed stamps have flat printing, and offset stamps have a distinctly different texture. These printing differences create separate catalog listings. Learn more about how Curiosa works.

Color varieties and shades

Many classic stamps exist in multiple color shades that represent different printings. The 1861 US 10c Washington exists in green (Scott 68, $60) and dark green (Scott 68a, $200+). British Victorian stamps are particularly shade-sensitive, with some penny reds existing in dozens of cataloged shades. Curiosa's color analysis identifies major shade varieties, though subtle differences may require physical comparison with reference copies under standardized lighting.

Auction-based stamp values

Based on what stamps actually sell for, not inflated catalog prices.

Catalog value is not market value. Scott and Stanley Gibbons catalog prices represent hypothetical retail values that often exceed actual market prices by 2-10x for common to mid-range stamps. A stamp cataloging $100 in Scott may sell for $15-$40 at auction. Curiosa references completed auction results and verified dealer transactions, not catalog values. The same principle applies to numismatic valuations where guide prices diverge from market reality. Explore our pricing plans for full access to valuation features.

Mint vs. used value differentials

For most stamps issued after 1900, mint (unused) stamps command higher prices than used (canceled) examples. The premium for Never Hinged (NH) condition is particularly significant: a US 1893 Columbian 50c (Scott 240) in hinged mint condition sells for approximately $200-$300, while a Never Hinged example commands $800-$1,200. For stamps issued before 1890, the mint/used premium narrows or reverses in some cases, particularly for rare postmarks or stamps on cover.

Condition multipliers in philately

2025-2026 market trends

The stamp market in 2025-2026 shows a clear bifurcation: rare, high-quality stamps in superb condition continue to appreciate (classic US and British stamps in XF-Superb grade set records at major auctions), while common stamps in average condition face declining demand as the collector base evolves. Chinese stamps, particularly Cultural Revolution issues and early PRC, remain among the strongest-performing segments. Modern US commemoratives (post-1940) in mint condition generally sell below face value unless in exceptional grade.

AI condition grading for stamps

Visual grading estimates covering centering, gum, and freshness.

Stamp condition determines whether your stamp is worth $5 or $5,000. Curiosa evaluates centering, color freshness, gum condition (for mint stamps), and the presence of faults. For the best grading results, follow our photo capture guide.

Centering

Centering measures the balance of margins around the stamp design. A perfectly centered stamp has equal margins on all four sides. For perforated stamps, centering is measured from the design edge to the perforation tips. A stamp with perforations cutting into the design is graded "Good" or lower, while one with jumbo margins may earn a "Superb" designation. The PSE (Professional Stamp Expertizing) 100-point scale assigns 50% of the grade weight to centering alone.

Gum condition (mint stamps)

For unused stamps, gum condition is critical. The hierarchy from most to least valuable: Never Hinged (NH, original gum with no disturbance), Lightly Hinged (LH, small hinge mark that barely disturbed the gum), Hinged (H, visible hinge remnant or disturbance), Heavy Hinge Remnant (HR, significant gum damage), No Gum (NG, gum completely removed or never applied). A Never Hinged premium can range from 25% to 500% over hinged examples, with the largest premiums on pre-1920 stamps where NH survival is rare.

Faults and imperfections

Common stamp faults include thins (areas where paper is thinner, detectable by holding the stamp to light), tears, creases, staining (foxing, tropicalization), and short or pulled perforations. Any fault significantly reduces value: a thin in a $1,000 stamp might reduce its value to $100-$300. Curiosa can identify visible tears, staining, and perforation damage from photos, though thins and paper repairs typically require physical examination or expert certification.

Cancellation quality (used stamps)

For used stamps, the cancellation affects desirability. Light, clear postmarks that do not obscure the design are preferred. Specific types of cancellations add value: town name cancels (especially from small towns), fancy cancels (geometric or pictorial designs popular in the 1860s-1880s), and first-day cancels on early issues. Heavy, smeared cancellations reduce value. "Pen canceled" stamps (canceled with pen ink rather than a postmark) generally trade at 50-75% discount to cleanly postmarked examples.

Forgery detection and rarity assessment

Spot fakes and understand what makes a stamp genuinely rare.

How to spot forged stamps

Stamp forgery is as old as stamp collecting itself. The most dangerous forgeries target high-value classic stamps. Curiosa checks for the most reliable visual indicators. For more on AI authenticity checks, see our fake detection guide. You can also explore how rarity scoring works across all collectible categories.

• Perforation gauge - Forgeries often have incorrect perforation measurements. A genuine 1918 US Inverted Jenny has perf 11. Forgeries may show perf 11.5 or 12.
• Printing method - Engraved stamps have a tactile, raised quality you can feel. Photographic reproductions appear flat. Curiosa analyzes ink depth and line quality to distinguish originals from reproductions.
• Color accuracy - Forged stamps often have colors that are too bright, too dull, or the wrong shade entirely. The AI compares scanned colors against documented reference standards for each issue.
• Paper and watermark - Original stamps were printed on specific paper stocks. Wrong paper type or missing watermarks are strong forgery indicators.
• Design details - Close examination reveals differences in line work, letter spacing, and micro-design elements between originals and forgeries. Famous forgers like Jean de Sperati produced near-perfect copies that required expert-level analysis to detect.

What makes a stamp rare

Stamp rarity depends on several overlapping factors:

• Print quantity - The British Guiana 1c Magenta (1856) is unique: only one copy survives. The US 1918 Inverted Jenny had 100 stamps in the single discovered sheet.
• Errors - Inverted centers, missing colors, imperforate errors, and wrong paper errors create valuable varieties. The US 1918 24c with inverted airplane (C3a) is the most famous stamp error.
• Condition scarcity - Some stamps survive in quantity but rarely in top grade. A US 1847 5c Franklin (Scott #1) exists in thousands of used copies but fewer than 50 mint examples, and fewer than 10 in XF-Superb condition.
• Variety scarcity - Color errors, paper varieties, watermark types, and perforation gauges create sub-varieties that may be far rarer than the standard issue.
• Postal history - Stamps on original covers (envelopes) with interesting routes, rare postmarks, or historical significance can command 2-10x the value of the stamp alone.

How Curiosa compares

One scan replaces multiple manual steps.

Frequently asked questions

Detailed answers for stamp collectors and philatelists.

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