What are your old New Zealand stamps worth?
Check out the information on this page.

If you've got a collection of old New Zealand stamps lying around it may be time to get them out and see if you have anything of value. This page is a general guide to help identify areas of value in New Zealand stamps for those of you unfamiliar with stamps and stamp collecting. 

General factors affecting the value of old stamps

Scarcity:

• How many were printed - the lower the printing the higher the value is likely to be.
• In general the higher denomination of the stamp the smaller the print numbers. A 10 cent stamp will be printed in much higher numbers than a $5 stamp so the $5 stamp is always most likely to have a higher value. 

Condition:

• The amount of wear and tear that has taken place.
• A mint stamp (unused) will mostly have a higher value than one which has been postally used. 

Variations:

• Mistakes known as errors or flaws. 
• Errors, flaws occur in stamps during printing and are more valuable as there are usually less of them.
• These errors can also occur in the perforation process.
  

Before you toss those old stamp albums or stamp collections, take them along to your local stamp dealer for an evaluation.

All your old stamps have a value and some can be extremely valuable . Most likely to be found to have more value are your old New Zealand stamps followed by those from the U.K / Britain, Australia and the Commonwealth countries. But that is not always the case and valuable stamps from anywhere in the world can be found in collections. It often depends on where the collection has come from. If it originated in France for example then any stamps of value are more likely to be from France.

The following are some New Zealand stamps and types of New Zealand stamps that have the potential for real value!

Hopefully with the information on this page you will find some areas of value in your old stamp lot or collection. Enough at least to take the time to contact your local stamp dealer for a more in depth evaluation.

Queen Victoria

These were the first New Zealand stamps and printing began in 1855. They featured Queen Victoria facing forward and later the side profile. Highly collectable and the right ones can be worth 100's of dollars and more. The images below will help you identify these stamps. They are a general selection only. For more images and information check out this nz stamp site.

1898 Pictorial Stamps

These early pictorial stamps followed the Queen Victoria printings and are heavily collected. Some especially the higher denominations command high prices in the market. They feature iconic New Zealand scenes and birds such as the kiwi and the kaka. Watch our for any stamped 'official'.

Early 'Exhibition' stamps

These 'Exhibition' stamps had limited printings and are worth checking for in your collection:

• 1906 Christchurch Exhibition
• 1913 Auckland Exhibition
• 1925 Dunedin Exhibition

Postal Fiscal or Revenue Stamps

These are stamps introduced primarily to collect government taxes and fees but may also be used postally as needed. The first New Zealand Postal Fiscal stamps feature Queen Victoria and were introduced in 1867. They were followed in 1931 by the Arms Type. All these stamps are of more value and highly collectable with some high values amongst them.

New Zealand Railway Charges 

These stamps issued by New Zealand Railways between 1925 and 1951. They were to pay for various railway charges and although not postage stamps they have become highly collectable and are increasingly valuable. Below images are a general selection from the range of values printed.

Life Insurance - the early 'Lighthouse' stamps

The early printings of 1891 and later 1905 are worth checking for among your old stamps as many of them have high catalogue values.

1899 Postal Dues

These stamps were issued to be used on postage where the pre-payment was insufficient. They range from a halfpenny up to two shillings. The 1899 to 1902 issue of these stamps is well worth checking any old stamp lot for.

Stamp Errors and Flaws

Errors and flaws occur in stamps during printing for a variety of reasons. There are many of these to be found in New Zealand stamps. While many are of little value some of the more well known error stamps fetch good prices. If you have the time and patience they can be well worth checking for in your old stamps. Below are a few of the most famous New Zealand stamp errors.

1882 Second Side Face 'screwdriver' flaw
1898 Pictorials 'Lake Wakitipu' spelling error
1904 Pictorials 'Lake Taupo invert' error
1909 Dominion 'Q' flaw
1935 Pictorials 'Captain CoQK' flaw

1935 Pictorials whare 'tekoteko' flaw
1963 Health Prince Andrew 'bleeding finger' flaw
1964 Health Tarapunga '4 legged seagull' flaw
1964 Road Safety 'apostrophe' error
​1996 Health 'teddy bear' error