American Samoa Stamps
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in Polynesia within Oceania. Its postal system has been administered under the authority of the U.
- Issued stamps
- 1900–present
- Region
- Oceania, Polynesia
- Currency
- USD
- Languages
- English, Samoan
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- United States
About American Samoa stamps
S. Post Office Department and later the USPS since the islands were ceded to the United States in 1900. Stamps issued for American Samoa primarily feature English text and utilize U. S. currency denominations, reflecting its status as a U. S. territory, though some earlier issues also bore local names. The territory's postal history is intrinsically linked to the broader administrative and political evolution of American Samoa under U. S. governance.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- AMERICAN SAMOA
- SAMOA
- USA
- UNITED STATES
How to identify American Samoa stamps
- Look for 'AMERICAN SAMOA' or 'SAMOA' overprints on U.S. stamps for early issues.
- Later issues will typically have 'AMERICAN SAMOA' printed as part of the stamp design, often alongside 'USA' or 'UNITED STATES'.
- Denominations are in U.S. currency (cents and dollars).
Popular series
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Overprinted U.S. Stamps
Early 20th Century
Early issues for American Samoa were U.S. stamps overprinted with 'AMERICAN SAMOA' or 'SAMOA' to denote their use in the territory.
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Definitive Issues
Mid-20th Century onwards
Later issues often featured designs relevant to American Samoa's culture, flora, fauna, and history, while still being U.S. stamps.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- $0.25–$5
- Scarce stamps
- $50–$500+
Most modern American Samoa stamps are readily available and inexpensive. Early overprinted issues, especially those with rare varieties or in fine condition, can command significant prices. Errors or scarce cancellations can also increase value.
Catalogs. American Samoa stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about American Samoa stamps
American Samoa stamps are postage stamps issued for use in the U.S. unincorporated territory of American Samoa. Historically, these were U.S. stamps overprinted for the territory, and later, stamps specifically designed for American Samoa but still part of the U.S. postal system.
The value of American Samoa stamps varies. Many modern issues are common and inexpensive. However, early overprinted U.S. stamps, especially those with specific varieties, errors, or in pristine condition, can be quite valuable, ranging from tens to hundreds of dollars.
American Samoa stamps can be identified by the explicit inscription 'AMERICAN SAMOA' or 'SAMOA' (on early overprints). They will also feature U.S. currency denominations. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
American Samoa stamps are listed in major stamp catalogs such as Scott (under United States Possessions or American Samoa), Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. These catalogs provide detailed information on issues, varieties, and estimated values.
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