Compared
Definitive vs Commemorative Stamps
A definitive is an everyday stamp, issued over a long period in a full range of values for ordinary postage, usually smaller and plainer. A commemorative is a special stamp marking an event, anniversary or theme, issued for a limited time, usually larger and more colourful. In short, definitives are the workhorses kept in service for years, while commemoratives are the celebrations issued briefly and then withdrawn.
| Definitive | Commemorative | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Everyday postage | To mark a subject |
| Issued | Over long periods | For a limited time |
| Range | A full range of values | A set on a theme |
| Style | Usually smaller, plainer | Usually larger, colourful |
| In service | For years | Briefly, then withdrawn |
What a definitive is
A definitive is the everyday stamp of the post. It is issued in a full range of values, from the lowest to the highest, to cover every postage need, and it is kept in use for years, often with the same basic design running for decades.
Definitives are usually smaller and plainer than commemoratives, designed for daily service rather than display, the British Machin head being the classic example. Their apparent simplicity hides great depth for the specialist, as our definitive stamps hub explains.
What a commemorative is
A commemorative is a special stamp issued to mark something: an event, an anniversary, a person, or a theme such as nature or sport. Unlike a definitive, it appears for a limited time, usually as a set, and is then withdrawn. Commemoratives are typically larger and more colourful, designed to celebrate their subject, which makes them attractive and popular to collect. Our commemorative stamps hub covers them in full.
How to tell them apart
- Look at the design. A larger, pictorial design celebrating a subject is almost always a commemorative; a smaller, plainer everyday design is usually a definitive.
- Consider the format. Commemoratives usually appear as a themed set; definitives as a long range of values.
- Think about availability. A stamp in use for years is a definitive; one issued briefly for an occasion is a commemorative.
- For British stamps, both carry the monarch's head and no country name, so it is the design and purpose that distinguish them, as our guide to identifying British stamps explains.
What it means for collecting and value
Different fields, different value
The distinction shapes how stamps are collected and valued. Definitives reward the specialist who studies their shades, watermarks and printings, while commemoratives suit thematic and chronological collecting by subject and set. As for value, most of both are common, but the factors differ: definitive value often lies in printing varieties and the scarcer issues, commemorative value in older sets, errors and fine condition. Our guides to GB Machin stamp values and commemorative stamp values explain each, with condition and demand always deciding the figure.
Frequently asked questions
A definitive is an everyday stamp issued over a long period for ordinary postage, usually smaller and plainer. A commemorative marks a specific subject, is issued for a limited time, and is usually larger and more colourful.
Look at the design and purpose: a larger, pictorial stamp celebrating a subject is usually a commemorative, while a smaller, plainer everyday stamp in a range of values is usually a definitive.
Most of both are common. Definitive value often lies in printing varieties and scarcer issues, commemorative value in older sets, errors and fine condition. Condition and demand decide it.
The British Machin head, introduced in 1967, which served for over fifty years and is one of the most reproduced designs in the world. Our Machin hub covers it.
Founder and stamp dealerLast updated June 2026