What is my stamp?
To use our stamp search tool, just upload a clear photo of any stamp to receive a full identification, including: country, year, subject, Scott catalog number, and condition.
Free stamp identification; instant, no sign-up. Photos may be kept to improve our identification tools.
Upload a stamp photo
Best results: a clear, well-lit photo of one stamp at a time, taken from directly above. JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, or HEIC (iPhone photos). Under 12 MB.
Free identification, no account needed. Photos you submit may be stored and used to improve Big Sky Stamps’ stamp-identification tools. See our Privacy Policy.
How it works
- 1
Upload a clear photo
A single stamp, photographed from directly above in good light. Phone camera is fine — just steady and in focus. JPEG, PNG, WebP, or GIF up to 8 MB.
- 2
We identify it
Country, year, subject, Scott catalog number (when confidently identifiable), color, condition, and notable features. The same identification a working philatelic dealer would make from the same photo.
- 3
See what to do next
If it’s a stamp we sell, we’ll point you at similar listings. If you have a collection to sell, we offer guided purchase inquiries. If you’re looking for a specific stamp, we curate finds personally.
Important note
Identification, not appraisal.
This tool tells you what the stamp is — the same facts a Scott catalog or an experienced dealer would give you. It does not give you a dollar valuation, because stamp value depends on details that can’t be assessed from a photo alone: gum condition (mint stamps), exact paper variety, watermark inspection, and current market demand.
If you’re trying to figure out whether a collection is worth selling, the right next step is our guided purchase inquiry— we’ll ask the questions that actually matter for valuation, and follow up personally.
Common questions
FAQ
How accurate is the identification?
For well-known stamps in good condition, very accurate — we’ll identify country, year, subject, and Scott catalog number reliably. For worn, damaged, or obscure stamps, we surface our best guess along with a confidence indicator so you know how much to trust it.
What if my stamp isn’t identified correctly?
Computer vision is good but not perfect. Lighting, angle, and image quality all affect accuracy. If the identification looks off, try a different photo (better light, closer crop, photographed directly from above). If it’s a particularly obscure variety, even experts need to handle the physical stamp to ID it.
What is a Scott catalog number?
The Scott Catalogue is the standard reference for U.S. and worldwide stamp collectors. Every distinct stamp has a Scott number — for example, the 3-cent 1857 Washington is Scott #26. Collectors and dealers use these numbers to identify and price stamps.
What makes a stamp valuable?
Rarity (how many were printed and how many survive), condition (centering, perforations intact, original gum on mint stamps), color (some shades are scarcer), and historical significance. A stamp that looks ordinary can be valuable if it’s an uncommon variety or a known printing error.
Do you store my photo?
Yes — to improve our identification tools, we may keep the photo you submit and the resulting identification, and use them to build our reference database. We store this privately and don’t sell it. See our Privacy Policy for details, including how to request removal.
Can you give me a dollar value?
Not from a photo alone. Real stamp valuation requires inspecting the physical stamp — gum condition on mint stamps, paper variety, watermark, exact perforation measurement, and current market trends. If you want a serious valuation, submit a purchase inquiry and we’ll guide you through it.
Where this leads
Helena, Montana — your next stop for stamps.
Big Sky Stamps is a small philatelic shop run from Helena. We curate inventory personally, package and ship every order ourselves, and treat every collector — first-stamp or thousandth — with the same care.