Guam Stamps
Guam is a significant island territory located in Micronesia within Oceania. Its postal history is deeply intertwined with its status as a former Spanish colony, followed by acquisition by the United States in 1898, leading to administration under the U.
- Issued stamps
- 1899–1930
- Region
- Oceania, Micronesia
- Currency
- USD
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- United States
About Guam stamps
S. Post Office Department. Stamps issued for Guam primarily feature English text, reflecting its status as an unincorporated territory of the United States, though early issues sometimes bore Spanish inscriptions. The island's postal system transitioned through various administrative phases, eventually aligning fully with the United States Postal Service structure.
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.
- GUAM
How to identify Guam stamps
- Look for the 'GUAM' overprint on U.S. postage stamps, often in black ink.
- Pay attention to the style and font of the overprint, as there were several varieties.
- Check for the underlying U.S. stamp design and denomination to help identify the specific issue.
Popular series
-
Overprinted U.S. Stamps
1899
The first stamps for Guam were regular U.S. postage stamps overprinted 'GUAM' in various styles, reflecting the immediate postal needs after U.S. acquisition.
-
U.S. Possessions Issues
1901-1930
Later issues were U.S. stamps overprinted 'GUAM' or 'GUAM, P.I.' (Philippine Islands, as Guam was administered through the Philippines Post Office for a period), often with new denominations.
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
- $5–$50
- Scarce stamps
- $100–$5,000+
The value of Guam stamps varies significantly based on the specific overprint, condition, and rarity of the underlying U.S. stamp. Early overprints, especially those with errors or rare varieties, command higher prices. Mint condition stamps are generally more valuable than used.
Catalogs. Guam 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 Guam stamps
Guam stamps are postage stamps issued for the U.S. territory of Guam, primarily consisting of regular United States postage stamps overprinted with 'GUAM' or 'GUAM, P.I.' between 1899 and 1930. These issues reflect Guam's postal history under U.S. administration.
The value of Guam stamps can range from a few dollars for common issues to several thousand dollars for rare varieties, errors, or high-quality examples of early overprints. Factors like the specific overprint, condition, and the base U.S. stamp significantly influence their worth.
To identify Guam stamps, look for the distinctive 'GUAM' or 'GUAM, P.I.' overprint on U.S. stamps. Pay close attention to the details of the overprint, including its font, color, and position. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
Guam stamps are extensively listed in major philatelic catalogs, including Scott (which is particularly comprehensive for U.S. and U.S. Possessions issues), Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. These catalogs provide detailed information, including issue dates, varieties, and estimated values.
Not sure where
it's from?
Photograph the stamp and Stamp Identifier names the issuer, the year and the series. One identification every 24 hours is free; prices and listings need Premium.