The SSC Glossary of Philately terms is a great place for referencing common terms that might pop up on your stamp collecting journey.
- Aeromail
- Stamp specifically designated for airmail.
- Adhesive
- Gum on the back used to stick the stamp to the envelope.
- Bisect
- When a stamp has been cut in half, usually due to a stamp shortage.
- Block
- Four or more stamps arranged in a square.
- Booklet
- Small collection of stamps bound together.>
- Cancel: Marking applied to a stamp to prevent reuse (often a postmark).
- Coil: Stamps issued in a continuous roll for vending machines.
- Coil Stamp: A stamp produced in a continuous roll, typically used in vending machines and identified by having two straight edges without perforations.
- Commemorative: Stamp issued to honor a person, place, or event.
- Commemorative Stamp: A stamp issued to honor a specific person, place, event, often with a limited availability period.
- Denomination: Face value of the stamp, indicated by a number or inscription.
- FDC (First Day Cover): An envelope bearing a stamp canceled on the first day it was issued.
- Forgeries: Counterfeit stamps made to deceive collectors.
- Gum: The adhesive backing on a traditional stamp that requires moistening for use.
- Imperforate: Stamp lacking perforations for separation.
- Intaglio Printing: Printing process where ink sits in recessed areas.
- Margin: Unprinted space surrounding the design or between stamps.
- Mint: Unused stamp in original condition with gum intact.
- Mint Sheet: A full sheet of unused stamps still together as originally issued.
- MNH (Mint Never Hinged): Abbreviation for “Mint Never Hinged,” indicating a mint stamp that has never been attached to a cover
- Overprint: Additional printing applied to a stamp after initial production.
- Perforation: Small holes separating individual stamps in a sheet.
- Perfin: Holes or designs punched into a stamp for identification.
- Philately: The study and collection of postage stamps.
- Plate Number: Unique number identifying the printing plate used for a stamp.
- Postal Stationery: Envelopes or postcards pre-printed with postage.
- Postmark: Marking applied by a post office indicating date and location of mailing.
- Precancel: Stamp pre-printed with a cancellation mark.
- Proof: Trial printing of a stamp design before official issue.
- Selvage: Edges of a sheet of stamps containing non-postal designs.
- Souvenir Sheet: Special sheet issued with a commemorative stamp and decorative design.
- Specimen: A stamp produced for official purposes, typically not intended for postal use and often marked as “Specimen”.
- Straight Edge: A stamp with one or more edges lacking perforations, distinct from coil or booklet stamps that naturally have some unperforated edges.
- Superstamp: High-value stamp used for bulk postage.
- Surcharge: An additional fee applied to a stamp, often indicated by an overprint, to raise its postal value.
- Tête-bêche: A printing error where two stamps are joined with one upside down in relation to the other.
- Variety: A minor variation from the standard design or printing of a stamp, which can be collectible.
- Watermark: A faint design embedded in the paper, visible when held to light (security feature).
If you’re looking for more guides and helpful tips, you might enjoy Definitive Postage Stamps, or What are Cinderella Stamps?
Two other great guides you can use are Warwick and Warwick’s Philatelic Terms Explained and this handy PDF glossary from the Postal Museum.
33 year old casual stamp collector from the UK!
