Valuation
How Condition Affects a Stamp's Value
Condition is the single biggest factor in the everyday value of a stamp, and the same stamp can be worth many times more in fine condition than in poor. It is judged by centring, by faults such as thins, creases and tears, by the gum on mint stamps, and by the cancellation on used ones. A sound, fresh, well-centred example is always worth more, while a serious fault can reduce a stamp to a fraction of its value.
At a glance
Why condition matters so much
For most stamps, condition is the main lever on value, and it can swing a price dramatically. The catalogue prices a fine example. Below fine, a stamp is worth less, sometimes far less, while a superb example can be worth more than catalogue. The difference between a fresh, sound stamp and a faulty one of the same kind is often several times over.
That is why a practical eye for condition is the most useful valuation skill of all, and why the rest of this page is worth understanding.
What we look at
An eye for condition
Front and back, on every stamp.
Centring
Even margins all round are prized; an off-centre design is worth less.
Faults
Thins, creases, tears and toning all reduce value, often sharply.
Gum, on mint
Original, never-hinged gum often commands a premium.
The cancel, on used
A light, neat cancel that leaves the design visible is preferred.
Centring
Centring is how the design sits within its margins or perforations. A well-centred stamp, with even margins all round, is the most desirable, and it carries a premium. As the design shifts off-centre, value falls, and a stamp whose design is cut into by the perforations is worth much less. For some issues, a superbly centred example, sometimes called jumbo, commands a large premium over an ordinary one.
Rather than grade centring ourselves, we show it in clear images and let you judge, as explained in our quality and grading standards.
Faults
Faults are the great reducers of value. The common ones include thins, where paper has been lost from the back, creases, tears, scuffs, toning, foxing and stains. Each reduces value, and a serious fault can bring a stamp down to a small fraction of what a sound one would fetch.
Hidden faults matter as much as visible ones. A thin on the back can be invisible from the front, which is exactly why the back of a stamp should always be seen, and why every fault should be disclosed. Our standards cover this in full.
Gum, on mint stamps
On a mint stamp, the gum is part of the condition. Original gum is worth more than none, never-hinged gum often carries a premium over hinged, and regumming, applying fresh gum to imitate the original, is a fault that reduces value and must be disclosed. Gum that is disturbed, toned or cracked also lowers the grade.
For many classic stamps, the presence of original gum is itself a meaningful part of the value. Our guide to MNH explains the mint gum grades in detail.
The cancellation, on used stamps
On a used stamp, the cancellation matters. A light, neat, clear cancel, leaving the design visible, is preferred and worth more, while a heavy, smudged cancel that obscures the design reduces value. Certain desirable postmarks, such as a clear, well-struck datestamp, can add value in their own right.
Cancelled-to-order material, cancelled in bulk rather than used in the post, is worth less than genuine postal use, as our guide to CTO explains.
Margins and perforations
How a stamp was separated affects its condition too.
On imperforate stamps, such as the Penny Black, margins are crucial. Four clear, even margins are prized, while a stamp cut into the design is worth far less. On perforated stamps, complete, even perforations are wanted, and short, pulled or missing perforations reduce value. Reperforation, adding or repairing perforations, is a form of repair that must always be disclosed.
Colour and freshness
Collectors value bright, fresh colour. A stamp with strong original colour looks alive and is worth more, while one that is faded, toned or oxidised looks tired and is worth less. Freshness, the overall first impression a stamp gives, counts for a good deal even before the details are examined.
Repairs, and what they do to value
Repairs must always be disclosed
Repairs reduce value substantially. A closed tear, a filled thin, reperforation or regumming all leave a stamp worth far less than a genuinely sound one, and all must always be disclosed.
It is worth knowing that many experienced collectors would rather have an honestly faulty stamp than a repaired one dressed up to look perfect. Either way, the principle is the same: you can only judge value if the truth is on the table, which is why honest description is not a courtesy but the whole basis of fair dealing.
How we handle condition
We grade to Stanley Gibbons' terms, photograph every stamp front and back in high resolution so you can see its condition for yourself, and disclose every fault. The images are the practical answer to the question this whole page asks: rather than tell you what condition a stamp is in, we show you. See our quality and grading standards.
Frequently asked questions
Enormously. The same stamp can be worth many times more in fine condition than in poor. Centring, faults, gum and cancellation all move the price.
Faults and centring usually matter most, along with the gum on mint stamps and the cancellation on used ones. A serious fault has the largest single effect.
Yes, often to a fraction of a sound example. Thins, creases, tears, toning and repairs all reduce value, and should always be disclosed.
Often, yes. Never-hinged gum frequently commands a premium over hinged. See our guide to MNH.
Yes. A light, neat cancel that leaves the design visible is preferred and worth more than a heavy one that obscures it.
See condition for yourself
Every stamp we list is shown front and back. Browse our Great Britain stamps, or explore the full shop.
Founder and stamp dealerLast updated June 2026