Identify and Learn About US Stamps 

The 1847usa section of Stamp Smarter will help you identify and learn about US stamps. Much of this content was originally developed by Bob Allen; we owe a great deal of gratitude for his original efforts and allowing it to stay published.
Note: Many updates, corrections, and enhancements have been made over the original 1847usa site.

Although 1847usa is an identification site and does not provide stamp values, you are probably wondering how much your stamp is worth. The first stop for most collectors is to look up the value in a Catalog. Bear in mind that the values provided are prices dealers ask for nicely centered sound stamps. Stamps with small flaws or less than ideal centering will sell for much less. Recent editions have added a supplement that provides values by grade. The PSE PRICE GUIDE is an online guide that provides values by condition and centering. The POWER SEARCH at Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries is an excellent tool for identification and auction realizations. The PHILATELIC FOUNDATION, which issues the PFC certificate, is generously sharing its certificate archive with the philatelic community.

Postal
Cards

1873 thru 
2016

  • All US
    Postal Cards

All Stamps Finder

FINDER FOR ALL
U.S. STAMPS

  • 1847 - 2019 
    Issues

visual
FINDER

VISUAL id
1847-1868

  • 1847-1868
    Regular Issues

visual
FINDER

VISUAL id
1870-1890

  • 1870-1890
    Bank Notes

visual
FINDER

VISUAL id
for 1908

  • 1908  Wash.
    Frank. Issues

Definitive Finder

Visual ID All
US DefinitiveS

  • 1847 - 1971
    Regular Issues

Annual
Finder

Find
By Year

  • 1847 - 1971 Regular Issues

Wash/Frank Finder

Find
Wash/Frank

  • 1908-1922 Regular Issues

BOB
FINDER

FINDER FOR US
BACK OF BOOK

  • Airmails
    Etc.

Farley's Follies

ID Farley
Issues

  • Farley Special Printings 1935

Fake W/F Stamps

learn To ID
Faked Stamps

  • 50 Commonly Faked Stamps

Population tool

Lookup Stamp
Totals by year

  • Interactive
    Report Tool