If you’ve found a stack of old stamps in a drawer, an envelope of unused postage from years ago, or inherited an album full of mint condition stamps, there’s good news—you can sell old stamps for cash. These aren’t just forgotten pieces of paper. They’re valid U.S. postage with real value. And while you may not need them anymore, thousands of people and businesses are actively buying them.
The secondary market for unused postage is strong, especially as postal rates keep increasing. Individuals looking to save on mailing costs and businesses that send frequent mailers will often buy old postage for less than face value—but more than you’d get by letting it sit unused.
What Counts as an “Old Stamp”?
Not Every Stamp Has to Be Rare to Be Valuable
You don’t need a rare error stamp or a century-old collectible to make money. Most people selling stamps for cash have modern, valid U.S. postage that’s simply no longer needed. This includes full sheets of Forever stamps, books of holiday stamps, commemoratives, and older denominations from before the Forever program was introduced.
As long as they are unused and in decent condition, they are worth something. Stamps that are still stuck to the backing paper, with no rips, tears, or discoloration, are especially desirable. Forever stamps, even those bought at older rates, still cover a first-class letter today. That makes them easy to resell—and easy to turn into money.
Why Selling Beats Using Them
Convenience and Cash in Your Pocket
Using old stamps may sound easy in theory. But in practice, it becomes more complicated. Many people find themselves stuck with outdated denominations—like 32¢, 10¢, or 5¢—and try to patch together enough to cover current postage. That process is tedious and impractical, especially if you don’t send much mail anymore.
Selling lets you avoid this hassle. It’s a quick way to liquidate your unused postage and avoid the annoyance of applying multiple stamps to every envelope. It also makes sense if you’re managing an estate, clearing out office supplies, or switching your business to digital invoicing.
Understanding What Sells Well
Mint Condition Makes All the Difference
When it comes to selling stamps for cash, condition is everything. Buyers are looking for mint condition stamps—unused, clean, and ready to be applied to envelopes. The best value comes from full sheets, complete booklets, or long rolls of stamps that haven’t been damaged or separated.
Forever stamps are the most sought-after because they are always valid for a one-ounce letter, regardless of when they were purchased. But older stamps with fixed values can still be sold as long as the total postage adds up. Popular designs like flags, flowers, national parks, and holiday themes tend to move quickly, especially if they’re in good condition.
How Much Money Can You Expect?
Realistic Payouts for Real Stamps
Most stamp buyers pay a percentage of the total face value. The more organized and clean your stamps are, the more you’re likely to earn. A pile of loose, mixed-denomination stamps won’t bring as much as a roll of Forever stamps still in its original packaging.
A typical payout ranges from 60% to 75% of face value. If you’re selling $200 worth of unused postage, you might receive $130 to $150 depending on the mix, presentation, and condition. Full sheets and coils in perfect condition could bring even more, while damaged or partial books may bring less or be rejected entirely.
The Selling Process
A Simple Step-by-Step
Selling your stamps is easier than you might think. You don’t need to list them online, take dozens of photos, or negotiate with buyers. You can sell directly to a specialized postage buyer like StampsForCash.com, which handles everything from start to finish.
Start by tallying your total face value. You don’t need to count every stamp individually, but you should organize your supply—grouping sheets, books, or rolls together. From there, you submit a quote request through our website. We’ll give you an estimate based on what you have, and if you accept, you can ship your stamps to us for review.
Once your shipment is received and verified, we issue prompt payment. Most sellers receive their money within a few days. It’s a fast, secure, and trustworthy way to turn unused postage into something more useful—cash.
What About Foreign or Used Stamps?
Know What Buyers Are Looking For
The resale market focuses on valid U.S. postage. If you have foreign stamps, used stamps, or canceled collector items, they likely won’t be accepted unless they’re extremely rare. The focus here is practical postage—not philatelic value.
That said, if you believe you have something rare or collectible, it’s worth having it appraised separately. But for everyday stamps you’ve purchased from the post office—especially Forever stamps—you don’t need an expert. You just need a reliable buyer.
Ideal Scenarios for Selling Stamps
Not Just for Collectors
You don’t have to be a hobbyist to benefit from selling unused stamps. Everyday people across the country sell their old postage for all sorts of reasons. Some find leftover stamps while cleaning out their homes. Others inherit drawers full of postage from a parent who was a letter-writer or scrapbooker. And many small businesses end up with excess postage after downsizing or switching to email invoicing.
In each of these cases, those stamps are still worth money. And holding onto them “just in case” only leads to more clutter. If you’re not going to use them—and most people won’t—it makes more sense to cash them out now.
Why Use StampsForCash.com?
Trusted by Sellers Nationwide
At StampsForCash.com, we make it easy for anyone to turn their unused stamps into real money. Our process is fast, secure, and transparent. We’ve helped thousands of individuals and businesses sell their old stamps for cash without needing to figure out collectors’ markets, price charts, or online listings.
We offer competitive rates based on current resale demand, and our customer service team is here to help you understand what you have and how much it’s worth. Whether you’re sitting on a single sheet of Forever stamps or managing a larger inventory, we’ll give you a fair price and quick turnaround.
Don’t Wait—Your Stamps Are Losing Usefulness
The Longer You Hold On, the Less Practical They Become
Postal rates continue to rise, and the longer you wait, the more inconvenient it becomes to use up low-denomination stamps. As Forever stamps rise in value, you’ll find that older stamps get harder to use efficiently.
Selling now means avoiding the hassle and converting that postage into something much more useful: cash. You can use the money however you want, and you’ll clear out unnecessary clutter in the process.
Instead of tossing those old stamps or letting them sit unused for another decade, take action today. Sort through what you have, request a quote, and see how much they’re worth. You might be surprised how quickly those forgotten stamps turn into real dollars in your account.
