Types of postage stamps

• Commemorative stamp — a stamp that is issued for a limited time to commemorate a person and/or event. Anniversaries of birthdays and historical events are among the most common examples.
• Definitive stamps — stamps for everyday postage and are usually produced to meet current postal rates. They often have less appealing designs than commemoratives, though there are stark exceptions. The same design may be used for many years. The use of the same design over an extended period may lead to unintended color varieties. This may make them just as interesting to philatelists as commemoratives. Definitive stamps are often issued in a series of stamps with different denominations.
• Express mail stamp / special delivery stamp.
• Local post stamps — used on mail in a local post; a postal service that operates only within a limited geographical area, typically a city or a single transportation route. Some local posts have been operated by governments, while others, known as private local posts, have been for-profit companies.
• Military stamp — stamps for a country’s armed forces, usually using a special postal system.
• Newspaper stamp — stamps used to pay the cost of mailing newspapers and other periodicals.

• Official mail stamp — issued for use by the government or a government agency.
• Non-denominated postage — postage stamp that remains valid even after the price has risen. Also known as a permanent or forever stamp.
• Postage due — a stamp showing that the full postage has not been paid, and indicating the amount to pay.
• Telegraph stamp — stamps for the payment of sending telegrams.
• Specimen stamp — postage stamp sent to postmasters and postal administrations so that they are able to identify valid stamps and to avoid forgeries.
• War tax stamp — A variation on the postal tax stamp to defray the cost of war.
• Revenue stamps — stamp used to collect taxes or fees on items such as documents, tobacco, alcoholic drinks, hunting licenses and medicines.
• Self-adhesive stamp — stamps not requiring moisture to stick. Self-sticking.
• Booklet stamp — stamps produced and issued in booklet format.
• Coil stamps — tear-off stamps issued individually in a vending machine, or purchased in a roll. 

Trading in stamps.

Buying stamps

There are a number of places where to buy stamps:

• There are a number of places where to buy stamps:
  • The internet.
  • Auctions.
  • Stamp dealers.
  • From a collector in a private sale.

Selling stamps

There are a number of ways to sell stamps, as there are to buy, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

• Auctions may achieve the highest prices but the costs are also high.
• Dealers may be able to act quickly or pay cash but are likely to offer a price at least one third below the normal retail sale price for the stamp as the dealer needs to make a profit on the transaction. Some dealers aim to double their money on every transaction.
• Private sales from other collectors.

All the interesting things to know about Postage Stamp Collecting.

The value of a stamp

The value of a stamp is determined by a number of factors including:

• The number available on the philatelic market.
• Demand from collectors inside and outside the country of origin.
• Condition. A damaged stamp is worth only a fraction of one in fine condition.
• Thematic appeal.
• Perceptions as to current or future value.
• Current events. A news event may temporarily increase values, for instance the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
• The place of purchase or sale. Values vary according to where the transaction takes place. Prices vary from country to country for the same stamp and prices realised at an auction may be different to those charged by a dealer or in a private sale between collectors.