Great Britain Stamps
Great Britain, encompassing England, Scotland, and Wales, forms the largest island of the British Isles in Northwestern Europe. As the heart of the former British Empire, its postal history is foundational to global philately, pioneering adhesive postage stamps with the Penny Black in 1840 and establishing early standards for international postal exchange.
- Issued stamps
- 1840–present
- Region
- Europe, Western Europe
- Currency
- GBP
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Modern postal administration
About Great Britain stamps
Stamps predominantly feature English text, often including the monarch's effigy, and reflect the nation's long history as a major world power and key member of the Universal Postal Union. The administrative structure has remained relatively stable since the union of the crowns, though the distinct postal administrations of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom) are reflected in certain issues.
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.
- POSTAGE
- POSTAGE REVENUE
- GREAT BRITAIN
- ROYAL MAIL
How to identify Great Britain stamps
- Look for the monarch's effigy (Queen Victoria, Edward VII, George V, George VI, Elizabeth II, Charles III).
- Stamps almost exclusively feature 'POSTAGE' or 'POSTAGE REVENUE' and the denomination in English.
- Early issues often have no country name, only the monarch's head. Later issues may include 'GREAT BRITAIN' or 'ROYAL MAIL' in smaller text.
- Watermarks are crucial for identifying early issues and varieties.
Popular series
-
Penny Black and Early Line-Engraved Issues
1840-1879
The world's first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black, followed by other iconic line-engraved issues featuring Queen Victoria's profile.
-
Definitives of King George V
1911-1936
A popular series featuring the profile of King George V, including various printings and watermarks, highly collected for their variations.
-
Machin Definitives
1967-Present
The iconic definitive series featuring the sculpted profile of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin, known for its countless variations in color, phosphor bands, and printing methods.
-
Commemorative Issues
1924-Present
A wide range of stamps celebrating British history, culture, events, and notable figures, starting with the British Empire Exhibition issues.
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
- £0.10–£5
- Scarce stamps
- £100–£50,000+
Common modern Great Britain stamps are generally inexpensive. Early issues, especially the Penny Black (depending on condition and margins), Two Pence Blue, and rare varieties or errors, can command significant prices. Machin definitives with specific printings or phosphor variations can also be valuable. Condition, cancellation, and rarity are key determinants of value.
Catalogs. Great Britain 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 Great Britain stamps
Great Britain stamps are postage stamps issued by the postal administration of the United Kingdom, primarily for use within England, Scotland, and Wales. They are renowned for pioneering the world's first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black, in 1840.
The value of Great Britain stamps varies widely. While many modern and common definitive stamps are inexpensive, early issues like the Penny Black, Two Pence Blue, and rare varieties, errors, or stamps in exceptional condition can be very valuable, sometimes fetching thousands or even tens of thousands of pounds. Rarity, condition, and historical significance are key factors.
Great Britain stamps are often identified by the prominent effigy of the reigning monarch, the use of English text for denominations, and the absence of a country name on early issues. Later stamps may include 'GREAT BRITAIN' or 'ROYAL MAIL'. Watermarks are also essential for identifying specific issues. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
Great Britain stamps are comprehensively listed in all major stamp catalogs. The Stanley Gibbons catalogue is particularly authoritative for British stamps, but they are also well-documented in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue and the Michel catalogue, among others.
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