Scott Catalogue Value Explained: How to Read Scott Numbers and Catalog Prices

For most U.S. collectors, the starting point for identifying and pricing stamps is the Scott family of catalogues. According to the American Philatelic Society, these are published by Amos Media of Sidney, Ohio.

The main titles collectors use are:

• The Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, a multi-volume set covering stamps of the world, organized alphabetically by country
• The Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers, a single, much more detailed volume for U.S. collectors

Scott is not the only catalogue in the world. Collectors in other countries often use Stanley Gibbons, Michel, or specialized national catalogues. In the United States, though, Scott numbers are the standard way to identify a stamp.

Every stamp listed in Scott is given a catalogue number within its country. For U.S. stamps, numbering starts with Scott 1, the 5-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp of 1847, and continues through modern issues. When you see a dealer list "U.S. Scott 1," every collector knows exactly which stamp is meant.

You will also see letter prefixes that identify special categories of stamps. Some common ones include:

• B: semi-postal stamps
• C: airmail stamps
• E: special delivery stamps
• J: postage due stamps
• O: official stamps

So "C1" is not the same stamp as "1." It is the first airmail stamp in that country's listings. Minor varieties, such as color or perforation differences, are often listed with a letter after the number, such as "22a." Our post on stamp perforations and watermarks explains why some look-alike stamps carry different numbers.

This is where many new collectors get tripped up. Scott catalogue value is not a guaranteed price, and it is not what a dealer will pay you for a stamp.

According to Amos Advantage, Scott catalogue values are based on stamps in a grade of Very Fine unless stated otherwise. In general, the value represents a retail price for a single stamp in that condition, the price you might expect to pay a dealer to buy it.

A few important points follow from that:

• Condition changes everything. A stamp that is off-center, thinned, creased, or heavily cancelled will usually sell for far less than its catalogue value. A stamp in exceptional condition can sell for more.
• Mint and used are valued separately. Most listings show two values, one for unused stamps and one for used stamps.
• Prices fluctuate. The American Philatelic Society notes that catalogue prices change over time, are specific to condition, and are affected by many factors. Scott itself cautions in its introduction that the actual price you pay may be higher or lower than catalogue value.
• Read the front of the catalogue. The APS recommends reading a catalogue's introductory pages to understand how it handles condition, gum, and pricing.

It helps to think about three different numbers:

1. Catalogue value: the published reference price for a single stamp in Very Fine condition.
2. Market value: what stamps are actually selling for right now, which is often a percentage of catalogue value.
3. Resale value: what a dealer or buyer would pay you if you sell. This is usually lower than retail, because dealers have to buy at a price that allows them to resell.

This is why dealers often describe prices as a percentage of catalogue. When our shop prices stamps at about 20 percent under Scott Catalogue Value, it gives you a clear, consistent way to compare.

You may notice that very common stamps carry a small minimum value in the catalogue, even when they are easy to find. That minimum largely reflects the cost of a dealer identifying, sorting, and handling the stamp rather than the stamp's scarcity. Adding up the catalogue values of a box of common stamps can make a collection look more valuable than it is. For a deeper look at what really drives value, read our guide, How to Tell If Your Old Stamps Are Worth Anything.

Scott numbers are especially useful when you:

• Organize a collection. Many albums are arranged in Scott order, so each stamp has a home.
• Track what you have and what you need. A simple spreadsheet or notebook by Scott number keeps your collection organized.
• Build a want list. Sending a dealer a list of Scott numbers is the fastest way to find specific stamps.
• Compare prices. Knowing catalogue value helps you judge whether a price is fair.

Not necessarily, especially when you are starting out. Current catalogues are a significant investment, and many collectors begin with an older edition for identification, since Scott numbers rarely change. Some local libraries and stamp clubs also keep catalogues available for members. When you are ready to price stamps carefully, a current edition is worth having for the countries you collect.

Is Scott catalogue value what my stamp is worth?

Not exactly. It is a reference retail price for a Very Fine stamp. What a stamp sells for depends on condition, demand, and the market.

What does "20 percent under Scott" mean?

It means the stamp is priced at about 80 percent of its Scott catalogue value. At Carolina Mountain Stamps, most items are priced this way.

Why do some stamps have a letter in front of the number?

Prefixes like C (airmail) or J (postage due) identify special categories of stamps within a country's listings.

Know the Scott numbers you are looking for? Browse our eBay store, visit our booth at Needful Things Mall on Route 64 in Hendersonville, or email a want list to sallyc@ix.netcom.com. For general questions, email is the fastest way to reach us: saca@ix.netcom.com.