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Stamp values

German stamp values: what your German stamps are worth

German collections often contain thousands of stamps from the Weimar inflation years, West Germany and the GDR. Those are common. The valuable material is older: the classic issues of the German States before 1871 and certain varieties that only a catalog number reveals.

Short answer

Most German stamps from the 1921–1923 inflation period, West Germany and the GDR are worth cents. Classic stamps of the German States (Bavaria, Baden, Saxony and others) from 1849 to the 1860s can be worth from a few euros to large sums. The Baden 9 Kreuzer color error of 1851 is usually named as the most valuable German stamp.

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What most German stamps are worth

During the 1923 hyperinflation, stamps were printed in enormous quantities and values reached billions of marks. Today these stamps fill albums and sell for very little. The same is true for most post-1950 West German and GDR issues. Specialists still pay for expertized postmarks, rare perforations and printing varieties, which is why the exact catalog number matters.

Valuable stamps to look for

  • Baden 9 Kreuzer error stamp on blue-green paper

    Baden 9 Kreuzer color error (1851)

    Printed on green paper instead of rose. It is the most valuable German stamp.

    Read the profile
  • 1849

    Bavaria 1 Kreuzer black (“Schwarzer Einser”) (1849)

    The first German stamp. Prices depend heavily on margins and plate.

  • 1850

    Saxony 3 Pfennig red (“Sachsen-Dreier”) (1850)

    Used mainly on printed matter, so few survived in good condition.

What to check before you price a stamp

  1. 1

    Separate inflation stamps (1921–1923) first. They are common, but expertized (“geprüft”) postmarks and errors are worth checking.

  2. 2

    For German States classics, measure all four margins and look for repairs on the back.

  3. 3

    Look for an expert’s signature on the back of expensive stamps. Without it, many buyers will not pay full price.

  4. 4

    Note perforation and watermark on early Reich issues. They change the Michel number.

Questions about Germany stamps

Are German inflation stamps from 1923 worth anything?

Usually very little, because they were printed in huge numbers. Exceptions include certified genuine postmarks on cover, rare perforations and printing errors.

Are GDR (DDR) stamps valuable?

Most GDR stamps are common. A few varieties and blocks are sought after, so it is worth identifying the exact Michel number before selling a collection.

What is the most valuable German stamp?

The Baden 9 Kreuzer of 1851, printed on green paper instead of rose. Only a few copies are known.

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