# Stamp Collecting Merit Badge Requirements

- Eagle-required: No
- Category: Hobbies
- Official requirements: https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/stamp-collecting/
- Pamphlet: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/Merit_Badge_ReqandRes/Pamphlets/Stamp%20Collecting.pdf
- Last synced from scouting.org: 2026-03-29
- Overview: https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/stamp-collecting/index.md
- Digital Resource Guide: https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/stamp-collecting/guide/index.md

Complete stamp collecting requirements including stamp mounting techniques, history research, collection organization, and philatelic knowledge to earn this merit badge.

## Requirements

- **1** *Why Stamps Matter* (Do all) Do the following:
  - **1.a** Discuss how you can better understand people, places, institutions, history, and geography as a result of collecting stamps.
  - **1.b** Briefly describe some aspects of the history, growth, and development of the United States postal system. Tell how it is different from postal systems in other countries.
- **2** *Types of Collections* Define topical stamp collecting. Name and describe three other types of stamp collections.
- **3** *Stamp Terms in Action* (Do all) Show at least ONE example of each of the following:
  - **3.a** Perforated and imperforate stamps
  - **3.b** Mint and used stamps
  - **3.c** Sheet, booklet, and coil stamps
  - **3.d** Numbers on plate block, booklet, coil, or marginal markings
  - **3.e** Overprint and surcharge
  - **3.f** Metered mail
  - **3.g** Definitive, commemorative, semipostal, and airmail stamps
  - **3.h** Cancellation and postmark
  - **3.i** First day cover
  - **3.j** Postal stationery (aerogramme, stamped envelope, and postal card)
- **4** *Catalogs and Condition* (Do all) Do the following:
  - **4.a** Demonstrate the use of ONE standard catalog for several different stamp issues. Explain why catalog value can vary from the corresponding purchase price.
  - **4.b** Explain the meaning of the term condition as used to describe a stamp. Show examples that illustrate the different factors that affect a stamp's value.
- **5** *Choosing Your Tools* (Choose 3) Demonstrate the use of at least THREE of the following stamp collector's tools:
  - **5.a** *Using Stamp Tongs* Stamp tongs
  - **5.b** *Soaking With Water and a Tray* Water and tray
  - **5.c** *Inspecting With Magnifiers* Magnifiers
  - **5.d** *Hinges and Mounts* Hinges and stamp mounts
  - **5.e** *Measuring With a Perforation Gauge* Perforation gauge
  - **5.f** *Safe Storage Sleeves* Glassine envelopes and cover sleeves
  - **5.g** *Finding Watermarks* Watermark fluid
- **6** *Mounting and Protecting a Collection* (Do all) Do the following:
  - **6.a** Show a stamp album and how to mount stamps with or without hinges. Show at least ONE page that displays several stamps.
  - **6.b** Discuss at least THREE ways you can help to preserve stamps, covers, and albums in first-class condition.
- **7** *Pick Two Stamp Projects* (Choose 2) Do TWO of the following:
  - **7.a** *Design Work* Design a stamp, cancellation, or cachet.
  - **7.b** *Visit the Stamp World* Visit a post office, stamp club, or stamp show with an experienced collector. Explain what you saw and learned.
  - **7.c** *Review a Stamp Article* Write a review of an interesting article from a stamp newspaper, magazine, book, or website (with your parent or guardian's permission).
  - **7.d** *Research Stamp History* Research and report on a famous stamp-related personality or the history behind a particular stamp.
  - **7.e** *How Stamps Are Made* Describe the steps taken to produce a stamp. Include the methods of printing, types of paper, perforation styles, and how they are gummed.
  - **7.f** *Build a Stamp Display* Prepare a two- to three-page display involving stamps. Using ingenuity, as well as clippings, drawings, etc., tell a story about the stamps , and how they relate to history, geography, or a favorite topic of yours.
- **8** *Choose Your Album Project* (Choose 1) Mount and show, in a purchased or homemade album, ONE of the following:
  - **8.a** *250 Stamps From 15 Countries* A collection of 250 or more different stamps from at least 15 countries
  - **8.b** *50 Countries on Maps* A collection of a stamp from each of 50 different countries, mounted on maps to show the location of each
  - **8.c** *One Country or Region* A collection of 100 or more different stamps from either one country or a group of closely related countries
  - **8.d** *A Thematic Collection* A collection of 75 or more different stamps on a single topic. (Some interesting topics are Scouting, birds, insects, the Olympics, sports, flowers, animals, ships, holidays, trains, famous people, space, and medicine). Stamps may be from different countries.
  - **8.e** *A 30-Day Mail Study* A collection of postal items discovered in your mail by monitoring it over a period of 30 days. Include at least five different types listed in requirement 3.