GB Buying Prices for Postage and Collectable Stamps

Our buying prices are regularly published in leading philatelic publications such as Gibbons Stamp Monthly, Stamp Magazine and Stamp & Coin Mart etc. The printed magazine adverts can go out of date fairly quickly therefore before sending any stamps please check here on our website for the most up to date prices. Prices are determined by supply and demand.

We buy just about any stamps or alternatively we can sell them on behalf of clients via our ever popular Internet Selling Service. Good single items wanted and collections of GB and British Commonwealth. European and Worldwide properties also considered. Covers and postal history included. Good first day covers also do well. Banknotes and Gold/Silver coins always do well on the Internet. Follow the link to view our Internet Auctions Philatelink Ltd | eBay Stores

GB Market Update and Blog - 4th December 2023

We have just lowered all our prices for non-barcoded commemorative and Christmas stamps as demand is very poor.

Christmas is approaching fast and for us this just means more unacceptable postal delays and customer email's asking where have their stamps gone. We always dispatch customer orders same day without fail and it is so frustrating when our customer orders then take anything up to three weeks to arrive.

This year we are going to try Tracked 48, Tracked 24 or Special Delivery for all postage orders over £60 to see if that gives us a more reliable service. Sad that we as discounted postage dealers feel the need to move to labels - It's a disgrace really.

I am really getting quite pessimistic about the future secondary market and the use of postage stamps in the UK in general. It certainly feels that the use of stamps is getting squeezed at every opportunity. Many Post Offices don't appear to have got the message that all Commemorative stamps and Christmas stamps from 1971 to date remain fully valid for postal use. Any Post Offices not accepting valid stamps should be reported to customer services. It does feel to me that perhaps Royal Mail want to limit the use of stamps to letters and large letters only.

Demand for stamps as postage is not good and currently we have way more coming in than we are able to sell. By that I mean everything that is non-barcoded. We will always buy barcoded stamps as we have big customers keen to buy those. It is difficult to know what to do for the best.

Judging by recent sales the sweet spot for commemorative stamps now seems to be those ranging from 50p to £1.25. The premium once commanded for stamps above £1.25 is just not there any longer, they simply do not sell like they used to. Perhaps everyone else has been forced to move to labels as well. If anything I would suggest that higher value stamps are now worth less than the lower value stamps. I don't think we have sold a £5 stamp in the last 10 days and that includes the new barcoded stamps so that has to say something.

If recent demand is anything to go by it is very likely that we will soon only be able to offer 40% to 45% face value at best for any commemorative stamps and non-barcoded Christmas stamps. Hopefully due to the cost of living perhaps customers are just buying their Christmas card stamps a bit later this year. On the other hand our recent market trial sales on eBay suggests the public only want to pay 55% to 65% face value for postage. That is the lowest discounted postage has been in the 20+ years I have been buying and selling GB postage. Pre-pandemic those were the trade rates not retail prices.

Factoring in what I have explained above has led to me seriously considering calling time on the discounted postage side of business early in the New Year to focus on selling the older decimal stamps as collectables on eBay. We will still try to buy and sell the barcoded stamps, but I am sure they will simply get scarcer and scarcer as all of the swapped out stamps gradually get sold. Modern decimal stamp collections and bulk lots now tend to have equal value no matter how you sell them, whether as postage or auctioning them intact as a collectable/postage.

However, we have recently found that selling collections and postage lots intact by auction has the added bonus of cutting out all of laborious admin work which is involved in sorting and selling postage. Auction sale also mitigates the risk of accidentally selling a customer a few obsolete definitive stamps which could easily be hidden inside a bag of one hundred commemorative stamps.

All the best, until next update.

Dave Waldie - MD Philatelink Ltd

---------------------------------------

Definitive stamps are no longer valid for postal use in the UK.

Click on the image below to get your copy of our detailed update on Machin Definitive and Regional stamps in PDF (Version 2) form:-

Commemorative and Christmas stamps will remain valid for postal use after 31st July 2023 however we are concerned that due to the sheer numbers of different commemorative stamps issued from 1971 to date that mistakes could be made leading to valid commemorative stamps being surcharged. We raised this issue with the Swap Out Team and they pointed us to a website which they appear to be using. The site is Collect GB Stamps. This site lists all of the decimal stamps issued from 1970 to 2023 and importantly clearly shows which stamps are definitive issues and those which are purely commemoratives. Perhaps we can use the content to tell The Royal Mail and Post Office staff if and when mistakes are made from August 2023 onwards.

Please note we have been treating all of the small size stamps (except for Christmas stamps) as definitive stamps even though technically some of them are actually commemoratives e.g. the Wilding 50th anniversary mini sheet stamps and regional stamps from smiler sheets.

Importantly the Royal Mail Swap Out Team have been swapping all of the small size stamps regardless (except for Christmas) so just be aware that perhaps all small sized stamps other than Christmas stamps might be deemed to be definitive stamps and end up being surcharged after July 2023. Royal Mail have been unable to provide a full list of stamps which will remain valid. Therefore, how this massive change will be effectively communicated throughout the Royal Mail Network and to all Post Office staff is a huge task and will no doubt take quite some time to bed in.

Best wishes to all - Dave Waldie

-------------------------------

The Royal Mail has confirmed that stamps containing the Queen's profile will continue to be valid therefore there should be no need for panic selling. Royal Mail issues guidance on stamps and postboxes (royalmailgroup.com)

At last the new barcoded stamps are starting to sell so we are keen to keep buying them in large quantities. New BARCODED British Stamps from 2021 onwards (philatelink.co.uk)

Royal Mail link: Reinventing stamps for the future | Royal Mail Group Ltd

Please call 01896 759703 or 07510 312271 for more information.

Dave Waldie - Director Philatelink Ltd

1 - GREAT BRITAIN DECIMAL POSTAGE STAMPS


We always require GB postage; some values are more popular than others so please contact us first if the value your invoice will be £2000 or over. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM 1st AUGUST 2023 When sending stamps to us please ensure that ALL small Machin sized stamps are COMPLETELY SEGREGATED as these stamps are NO LONGER VALID FOR POSTAL USE WE PAY 40% face value for the above. This includes ALL: Machin Definitive stamps including 1st & 2nd class and 1p to £5; Regional stamps from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; European and Worldwide stamps from sheets and booklets; Basically any small (Machin sized) stamps from Sets, Miniature sheets and from Smiler sheets; HIGH VALUE STAMPS including Machin's, Castle Stamps & £10 Britannia stamps. PLEASE SEND DEFINITIVE STAMPS IN BAGS OF 50 STAMPS or less this is REALLY IMPORTANT as all of these stamps must be returned to Royal Mail to be exchanged for the new barcoded stamps. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE GOOD NEWS Commemorative (larger pictorial stamps) and all Christmas stamps are the only stamps that now remain valid for postal use so we MUST ENSURE that our UK discounted postage customers only receive VALID Commemorative and Christmas stamps. Royal Mail also told early on that 'E' Rate stamps from commemorative sets, miniature sheets and Christmas remain valid, as do all Post & Go stamps. OUR POLICY going forward is not to sell customers any small "Machin" sized stamps of any kind as we think there is a chance they could get surcharged even if they are technically commemorative stamps. Better to be cautious until things settle down. TO AVOID DELAYS, PLEASE SEND YOUR COMMEMORATIVE & CHRISTMAS STAMPS MADE UP IN PACKETS OF 100 CONTAINING THE SAME STAMP VALUE. THIS MAKES THEM EASY TO COUNT. SMALLER AMOUNTS ARE ACCEPTED BUT PLEASE WRITE CLEARLY ON EACH PACKET HOW MANY STAMPS ARE INSIDE. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SENDING STAMPS FROM OVERSEAS If sending stamps from overseas including Euro zone (from 1st Jan 2021) please clearly print our VAT & EORI numbers on the outside of the package. VAT No. GB 865933187 EORI No. GB 865933187000 > British Decimal Stamps VALID for POSTAL USE in the UK use Commodity Code 4907001000 Customs declaration: "Unused UK stamps valid as postage in the UK, sold at below face value. VAT exempt as per VAT Notice 701/8". Postage Stamps and Philatelic Supplies. All other Stamps/Covers NOT valid for postal use in the UK use Commodity Code 9704000000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- email: thebestdeals@aol.com - philatelink@btinternet.com - sales@philatelink.co.uk tel landline: 01896 759703 tel mobile: 07510 312271 2nd Class = 75p, 1st Class = £1.25, 2nd Large = 1.55p, 1st Large = £1.95, Europe/Worldwide = £2.20
CATEGORY OF STAMPS	BUYING (% of Face Value)
New Royal Mail Barcode Stamps	1st Class - 63% 1st Class Large - 65% 2nd Class - 68% 2nd Large Letter - 70% Fixed Values 1p and 2p - 40% 5p to 50p - 48% £1.00 to £5.00 - 65% we don't have any £3.25 or £4.20 so these especially welcome.
Commemorative, Post & Go and Christmas Stamps Sorted by value in bags of 100 stamps (smaller amounts accepted)	1st Class Stamps - 46% (all types) 2nd Class Stamps - 55% (all types) 2p to 97p - 45% £1.00 to £2.55 - 50%
Commemorative and Christmas Stamps Made up in mixed bags containing £30, £50 or £100 face value	We pay 45% face value Lots must include a wide range of different values.
Definitive and Regional Stamps inc 1st & 2nd 1p to £10 including all 1st class and 2nd class stamps. (e.g. all stamps from 1971 to date which will not be valid for postal use after 31st July 2023)	1p to £10 fixed values we pay 43% face value 1st and 2nd class we pay 47% face value Sorted by value and segregated into clear bags each containing just 50 stamps. We also need stamps with the 1/2p values segregated e.g. 50 x 7p, 50 x 7.5p (not mixed) ABSOLUTELY NO Commemoratives, Christmas Stamps or Post and Go stamps to be mixed in with the definitive stamps.
'E' European Commemorative and Post & Go Stamps These stamps will remain valid for postal use after 31st July 2023	Up to 10g, 20g, 40g, 60g and 100 grams We pay £1.00 per stamp.
Commemorative Presentation Packs, Year Books Prestige Booklets Only	We pay 46% face value
All Decimal Mint Hinged Stamps	We pay 38% face value

2 - Buying Gold - High Prices Paid

Gold Sovereign	Full	POR
Gold Sovereign	Half	POR
Gold Krugerrand	1 oz	POR
Gold Krugerrand	1/2 oz	POR
Gold Britannia 24ct	1 oz	POR
Gold Britannia 24ct	1/2 oz	POR
Gold 24 ct	per Gram	POR
Gold 22 ct	per Gram	POR
Gold 18 ct	per Gram	POR
Gold 9 ct	per Gram	POR

3 - Buying Europe and Worldwide Postage

Australia	£15	>per 100 $ AUS
Canada (32c and over)	£15	per $100 CAN
Canada (up to 31c)	£13	per $100 CAN
Germany	£30	per €100 Euros
Guernsey and Alderney	POR	1p to 20p
Guernsey and Alderney	POR	21p to £5
Isle of Man	POR	1p to 20p
Isle of Man	POR	21p to 50p
Ireland	£30	per €100 Euros
Jersey	POR	21p to £5
New Zealand	£11	per $100 NZ
Switzerland	£25	per 100 SFR
USA (up to 49c)	£20	per $100 US
USA (50c and over)	£23	per $100 US

4 - Great Britain Collectable Stamps

1840 Penny Black	£60	Fine Used 4 Margins
1840 2d Blue	£90	Fine Used 4 Margins
1929 £1 PUC Fresh and well centred	£225	SG 438 Mint Light Hinged
1929 £1 PUC Fresh and well centred	£200	SG 438 Very fine used
1929 £1 PUC Well Centred	£225	SG 438 Fine Used
1934 Photogravure Set of 11	£14	SG 439/449 MNH
1938-48 KGVI High Values Set of 6	£90	SG 476/478b superb MNH
1938-48 KGVI High Value 10s Dark Blue	£50	SG 478 Superb MNH
1938-48 KGVI High Values Set of 6	£50	SG 476/478b Fine mint light hinged
1948 Silver Wedding (well centred)	£4	SG 493/494 Superb MNH
1951 Festival High Values set of 4	£14	SG 509/512 Superb MNH
1951 Festival High Values set of 4	£6	SG 509/512 MLH
1952-54 Tudor Crown Wildings Set of 17	£11	SG 515/531 MNH
1953-70 Commemorative Sets Complete (Ord & Phos)	£30	Mint never hinged
1953-68 Wilding Stitched Booklets	8%	of SG Cat Value
1955 Waterlow Castles Set of 4	£25	SG 536/539 MNH
1955 Waterlow Castles Set of 4	£18	SG 536/539 MLH
1959 1st De La Rue Castles Set of 4	£110	SG 536a/539a MNH
1955-58 St Edwards Crown Wilding Set of 18	£23	SG 540/556 MNH
1957 1st Graphite Set of 6	£2.00	SG 561/566 MNH
1958-61 Wilding Graphite Set of 8	£18	SG 587/594 MNH
1959 2nd De La Rue Castles Set of 4	£20	SG 595/598 MNH
1963 Castles Multi-crown wmk Set of 4	£1.00	SG 595a/598a MNH
1959 2nd De La Rue Castles Set of 4	£18	SG 595/598 MLH
1959 Phosphor Graphite Set of 8	£15	SG 599/609 MNH
2d Phosphor Graphite with WMK ERROR	£25	SG 605a MNH
1960-67 Phosphor Wildings Set of 16	£1.50	SG 610/617 MNH
1970-75 Postage Due Set of 13	£2.75	SG D77/D89 MNH
1971 Machin Scandinavia Presentation Pack	£3.00	Very fine condition
1972 Silver Wedding 3p Traffic Light Gutter Pair	£1.80	MNH Unfolded
1973 Royal Wedding Set Traffic Light Gutter Pairs	£10.50	MNH Unfolded
1974 Tree Traffic Light Gutter Pairs	£5	MNH Unfolded
1974 Fire Service Set Traffic Light Gutter Pairs	£5	MNH Unfolded
1974 UPU Set Traffic Light Gutter Pairs	£5	MNH Unfolded
1974 Great Britons Set Traffic Light Gutter Pairs	£6	MNH Unfolded
1974 Churchill Set Traffic Light Gutter Pairs	£4	MNH Unfolded
1974 Christmas Set Traffic Light Gutter Pairs	£3	MNH Unfolded
1977 Machin High Values (Large) Presentation Pack	£15	Pack No 13
1982 Postage Due Set of 12	£1.25	SG D90/D101 MNH
1982 Postage Due Presentation Pack	£2.50	Very fine condition
1985 Scots 31p Type II Perf 14	£25	SG S51Ea MNH
1987 Machin Definitive (1p to 75p) Presentation Pack	£5.00	Pack No 9
1988 Castles H/V Presentation Pack	£5	Pack No. 18
1986 £5 FT Prestige Booklet opt 'FINLANDIA 86'	£50	SG DX9 fin
1991 Machin Definitive Presentation Pack	£4.00	Pack No 24
1992 Castles H/V Presentation Pack	£5	Pack No. 27
1993 £10 High Values Presentation Pack	£6.40	Pack No. 43
1994 'To Pay' Postage Due Set of 9	£3.50	SG D102/D110
1995 Castles H/V £3 Presentation Pack	£2	Pack No. 33
1997 Enschede Castles High Values Set of 4	£7	SG 1993/1996 MNH
1998 Machin Presentation Pack	£3	Pack No. 41
1998 Princess Diana WELSH Presentation Pack with insert	£3.50	Very fine with insert
2000 Her Majesty's Stamps M/S Presentation Pack	£3.50	Pack No. M03
2001 Submarines Retail Booklet	£4.50	SG PM2
2001 Submarines Retail Cylinder Booklet	£5	SG PM2
2001 20x19p Christmas Robin Smiler Sheet	£4	SG LS2 Perfect MNH
2001 20x19p Christmas Robin 'Consignia' imprint Smiler Sheet	£12	SG LS2a Perfect MNH
2001 20x19p Christmas Robin 'Consignia' imprint Smiler Sheet	£10	SG LS2a Minor Faults MNH
2001 10x1st Xmas Cracker Smiler Sheet	£5	SG LS3 Perfect MNH
2001 10x1st Christmas Cracker 'Consignia' imprint Smiler Sheet	£13	SG LS3a Perfect MNH
2001 10x1st Christmas Cracker 'Consignia' imprint Smiler Sheet	£10	SG LS3a Minor Faults MNH
2001 10 x 1st Smiles Smiler Sheet	£8.50	SG LS5
2003 £2.00 definitive stamp with '£' sign missing	£38	MNH pair with cylinder number.
2003 £2.00 definitive stamp with '£' sign missing in a cylinder block of six	£60	Mint never hinged
2008 First Post & Go Stamps	£10	Presentation Pack SG FS1/FS5
2010 Machin M/S	£15	SG 3023 MNH
2012 UK A-Z Sheet of Stamps	£22.50	MS 3308 MNH
2017 £5 Machin	£3.75	SG U3920
2017 £5 Machin Pack	£6.50	Presentation Pack No 105




Commemorative First Day Covers (Sets & M/S)	£1.50 each	Royal Mail Bureau Covers 2017 to 2022
Definitive First Day Covers	£1.00 each	Royal Mail Bureau Covers 2017 to 2022

All Categories

GB Buying Prices for Postage and Collectable Stamps

GB Market Update and Blog - 4th December 2023

We have just lowered all our prices for non-barcoded commemorative and Christmas stamps as demand is very poor.

This year we are going to try Tracked 48, Tracked 24 or Special Delivery for all postage orders over £60 to see if that gives us a more reliable service. Sad that we as discounted postage dealers feel the need to move to labels - It's a disgrace really.

Demand for stamps as postage is not good and currently we have way more coming in than we are able to sell. By that I mean everything that is non-barcoded. We will always buy barcoded stamps as we have big customers keen to buy those. It is difficult to know what to do for the best.

All the best, until next update.

Dave Waldie - MD Philatelink Ltd

---------------------------------------

Definitive stamps are no longer valid for postal use in the UK.

Click on the image below to get your copy of our detailed update on Machin Definitive and Regional stamps in PDF (Version 2) form:-

Please note we have been treating all of the small size stamps (except for Christmas stamps) as definitive stamps even though technically some of them are actually commemoratives e.g. the Wilding 50th anniversary mini sheet stamps and regional stamps from smiler sheets.

-------------------------------

The Royal Mail has confirmed that stamps containing the Queen's profile will continue to be valid therefore there should be no need for panic selling. Royal Mail issues guidance on stamps and postboxes (royalmailgroup.com)

At last the new barcoded stamps are starting to sell so we are keen to keep buying them in large quantities. New BARCODED British Stamps from 2021 onwards (philatelink.co.uk)

Royal Mail link: Reinventing stamps for the future | Royal Mail Group Ltd

Please call 01896 759703 or 07510 312271 for more information.

Dave Waldie - Director Philatelink Ltd

1 - GREAT BRITAIN DECIMAL POSTAGE STAMPS

We always require GB postage; some values are more popular than others so please contact us first if the value your invoice will be £2000 or over.

VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM 1st AUGUST 2023

When sending stamps to us please ensure that ALL small Machin sized stamps are COMPLETELY SEGREGATED as these stamps are NO LONGER VALID FOR POSTAL USE

WE PAY 40% face value for the above.

This includes ALL:

Machin Definitive stamps including 1st & 2nd class and 1p to £5;

Regional stamps from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland;

European and Worldwide stamps from sheets and booklets;

Basically any small (Machin sized) stamps from Sets, Miniature sheets and from Smiler sheets;

HIGH VALUE STAMPS including Machin's, Castle Stamps & £10 Britannia stamps.

PLEASE SEND DEFINITIVE STAMPS IN BAGS OF 50 STAMPS or less this is REALLY IMPORTANT as all of these stamps must be returned to Royal Mail to be exchanged for the new barcoded stamps.

THE GOOD NEWS

Commemorative (larger pictorial stamps) and all Christmas stamps are the only stamps that now remain valid for postal use so we MUST ENSURE that our UK discounted postage customers only receive VALID Commemorative and Christmas stamps.

Royal Mail also told early on that 'E' Rate stamps from commemorative sets, miniature sheets and Christmas remain valid, as do all Post & Go stamps.

OUR POLICY going forward is not to sell customers any small "Machin" sized stamps of any kind as we think there is a chance they could get surcharged even if they are technically commemorative stamps. Better to be cautious until things settle down. TO AVOID DELAYS, PLEASE SEND YOUR

COMMEMORATIVE & CHRISTMAS STAMPS

MADE UP IN PACKETS OF 100

CONTAINING THE SAME STAMP VALUE. THIS MAKES THEM EASY TO COUNT.

SMALLER AMOUNTS ARE ACCEPTED BUT PLEASE WRITE CLEARLY ON EACH PACKET HOW MANY STAMPS ARE INSIDE.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SENDING STAMPS FROM OVERSEAS

If sending stamps from overseas including Euro zone (from 1st Jan 2021) please clearly print our VAT & EORI numbers on the outside of the package.

VAT No. GB 865933187

EORI No. GB 865933187000

British Decimal Stamps VALID for POSTAL USE in the UK use Commodity Code 4907001000

Customs declaration:

"Unused UK stamps valid as postage in the UK, sold at below face value. VAT exempt as per VAT Notice 701/8". Postage Stamps and Philatelic Supplies.

All other Stamps/Covers NOT valid for postal use in the UK use Commodity Code 9704000000

email: thebestdeals@aol.com - philatelink@btinternet.com - sales@philatelink.co.uk tel landline: 01896 759703 tel mobile: 07510 312271

2nd Class = 75p, 1st Class = £1.25, 2nd Large = 1.55p, 1st Large = £1.95, Europe/Worldwide = £2.20

New Royal Mail Barcode Stamps

1st Class - 63%

1st Class Large - 65%

2nd Class - 68%

2nd Large Letter - 70%

Fixed Values 1p and 2p - 40%

5p to 50p - 48%

£1.00 to £5.00 - 65%

we don't have any £3.25 or £4.20 so these especially welcome.

Commemorative, Post & Go and Christmas Stamps

Sorted by value in bags of 100 stamps

(smaller amounts accepted)

1st Class Stamps - 46% (all types)

2nd Class Stamps - 55% (all types)

2p to 97p - 45%

£1.00 to £2.55 - 50%

Commemorative and Christmas Stamps

Made up in mixed bags containing £30, £50 or £100 face value

We pay 45% face value

Lots must include a wide range of different values.

Definitive and Regional Stamps inc 1st & 2nd

1p to £10 including all 1st class and 2nd class stamps.

(e.g. all stamps from 1971 to date which will not be valid for postal use after 31st July 2023)

1p to £10 fixed values we pay 43% face value

1st and 2nd class we pay 47% face value

Sorted by value and segregated into clear bags each containing just 50 stamps. We also need stamps with the 1/2p values segregated e.g. 50 x 7p, 50 x 7.5p (not mixed)

ABSOLUTELY NO Commemoratives, Christmas Stamps or Post and Go stamps to be mixed in with the definitive stamps.

'E' European Commemorative and Post & Go Stamps

These stamps will remain valid for postal use after 31st July 2023

Up to 10g, 20g, 40g, 60g and 100 grams

We pay £1.00 per stamp.

OUR POLICY going forward is not to sell customers any small "Machin" sized stamps of any kind as we think there is a chance they could get surcharged even if they are technically commemorative stamps. Better to be cautious until things settle down.

TO AVOID DELAYS, PLEASE SEND YOUR

British Decimal Stamps VALID for POSTAL USE in the UK
use Commodity Code 4907001000

All other Stamps/Covers NOT valid for postal use in the UK
use Commodity Code 9704000000

email: thebestdeals@aol.com - philatelink@btinternet.com - sales@philatelink.co.uk
tel landline: 01896 759703
tel mobile: 07510 312271