19 December 2025
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The Green Shield Stamp scheme was first introduced to the UK in the late 1950s. But what exactly were Green Shield Stamps, how did they work, and are they worth anything today?
This guide explains everything you need to know about Green Shield Stamps, including where they came from, how the scheme operated, and what value they might still hold now.
What are Green Shield Stamps?
Green Shield Stamps were a type of loyalty reward designed to encourage customers to shop at certain retailers. The idea was simple: when you spent money at a participating shop, you were given Green Shield Stamps in return. The more you spent, the more stamps you received.
Customers were given a Green Shield stamp book free of charge. These books contained printed outlines showing exactly where each stamp should be stuck. This made the stamps easier to organise, less likely to be lost, and simple to count once the book was filled.
Once enough stamps had been collected, customers could choose gifts from a dedicated Green Shield catalogue. Every item had a “price” listed in stamps rather than money.
The catalogue included a wide range of household items, toys, kitchenware, and small electrical goods. In many ways, it worked like saving tickets at a seaside arcade all day to exchange them for a small prize at the end.
One important thing to note is that Green Shield Stamps could never be exchanged directly for cash. Their only purpose was to be saved and traded in for catalogue items, which helped keep customers loyal to participating retailers.
Can you still redeem Green Shield Stamps?
Unfortunately, no. Green Shield Stamps can no longer be redeemed. The scheme itself was relatively short-lived, despite its popularity. As the idea proved successful, many other companies launched similar loyalty schemes, which eventually led to what became known as the “trading stamp war”.
By the 1970s, the UK was facing economic challenges, and shop prices began rising rapidly. Running stamp schemes became increasingly expensive for retailers. To adapt to the changing retail landscape, Green Shield Stamps were rebranded and transformed into Argos.
Argos went on to become one of the UK’s most recognisable high-street names, famous for its catalogues and click-and-collect model. For many people, Christmas simply wouldn’t feel the same without flicking through an Argos catalogue.
Suggested article: A History of British Christmas Stamps
After this shift, traditional loyalty stamp schemes gradually disappeared. Over time, they were replaced by modern alternatives such as Nectar cards, Tesco Clubcards, and other digital reward systems that are still widely used today.
Are Green Shield Stamps worth anything?
In terms of monetary value, Green Shield Stamps are not worth a great deal. Individual stamps or incomplete books usually have little to no resale value.
However, complete stamp books are more desirable to collectors. These can sell on sites like eBay for an average of around £30, depending on condition.
Their real value lies more in nostalgia and collectability rather than financial gain. For many people, Green Shield Stamps are a reminder of family shopping trips, careful saving, and a very different era of British retail.
In summary, you can’t use Green Shield Stamps to buy a toaster anymore, but a full book remains a small yet interesting piece of British retail history, worth a modest amount and a great deal of sentiment to collectors and enthusiasts alike.