stamps worth money

Below, you can see the list of rarest and most valuable stamps issued in the U.S. and all over the world. How to Identify If Your Stamps are Worth Money 1. What are stamps worth? Because the first "Hawaiian Missionaries" were crudely engraved and printed on thin and poor quality paper, very few of these items have survived and are considered to be extreme rarities. We look at rare collectible stamps to collect. The new stamps were released in Honolulu in three denominations (2 cent, 5 cent, and 13 cent). They are valued at $600,000 or more depending on the condition of the particular stamp being sold. While different variants are priced differently, the Togo 10 (pictured) is worth $100,000 today. Like other stamps of the issue, the Declaration of Independence is printed in two colors, green and violet, and can be rightfully called a miniature masterpiece. Benjamin Franklin, who along with George Washington graced the first stamps, has a fascinating history with the post, filled with intrigue. The new technique required double pressing: to print the center design also known as vignette and to print the frame. Numerous nations all over the world followed the example of the U.S. by creating their own independence declarations, which laid the foundations of global democracy and fair international relationship. (Credit: GraphicaArtis/Getty Images). Jan 6, 2019 - 10 SUPER RARE STAMPS WORTH MONEY - EXTREMELY VALUABLE STAMPS. The block of six 15c Landing of Columbus stamps that was part of a famous William Gross collection was sold for $150,000 by Robert A Siegel in October, 2018. There could be several reasons behind the high value of these small pieces of paper. Stamp collectors love rarities, firsts and errors—and these stamps have all three, plus some politics. Those most devoted to the collection of stamps—philatelists—are readying themselves for a giant moment. Order stamps, shipping supplies, and unique items only available from the United States Postal Service. At an auction in 2016, one of the stamps sold for more than $1.3M. Naturally, a great deal of correspondence was exchanged before 1847—the United States Post Office Department was established in 1792—but those letters were mostly paid for by the receiver. Without him, the U.S. would have never become the strong, prosperous and influential country it is now. You might … It takes half the time and precision when it comes to applying a fierce and feline flick. Another example is two blocks of Chinese stamps, dated from 1897. One possibility is that they are at once so many things: they’re art, they’re history, they’re antiques, they’re money, they’re miniatures—all wrapped up in the romanticism of the letters they set into motion. Which Stamps Are the Most Valuable? An unused sample with an inverted center is currently valued at $275,000. It was the first time a transatlantic telephone line was used to purchase a lot at an auction. In fact, the very first U.S. Post Office Department airmail flight on May 15, 1918 ended in disaster. The 24 cent stamp uses a G grill and comes with split grill, double grill or basic gum. The Hobbizine United States Stamp Value Guide provides market prices for stamps in both mint and used condition. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. Wondering what your old U.S. stamps are worth? They’re tricky, those CIA agents. (Credit: DEA/A. The error that makes this stamp so valuable consists in the following: it was supposed to be printed in pink but few sheets were printed in green. 1. The first one took place in 1996 and Treskilling Yellow stamp was sold for 2.8 million Swiss francs (or roughly $2.2 million at that time). Since the stamps were only in use for a year, they are almost impossible to find. New York Stock Exchange stamp (courtesy of Siegel Auction Gallery); The New York Stock Exchange meeting under Buttonwood Tree on Wall Street. (Credit: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images). A decade later, he spotted it again through another dealer listed at £175,000. The lot that was a part of the hilarious William Gross’ collection fetched $140,000. A scandal soon followed, and the agency demanded that the agents return the stamps or face termination (they had been purchased with taxpayer money, after all). As noted by Cheryl Ganz, curator emerita of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington, Gross’s collection of American stamps is unrivaled in the history of private stamp collecting. Since the first modern postage stamp was implemented in 1840, a diverse range of unique collectible stamps have flooded the market, each detailing a specific person, place, and historically relevant moment in time. On the occasion of World Post Day on Oct. 9, we look at the Penny Black, the Inverted Jenny, the Hawaiian Missionaries and other rare stamps from around the world. The year 1847 is a huge one for stamps: this was the first year that you could purchase stamps from the United States government and affix them to a piece of mail as a method to prepay for its delivery (the legislation was passed in 1845). Small pieces of faded paper commemorating historic faces and epic events that used to adorn crispy yellow envelopes received by our far ancestors are now worth a fortune. The Hawaiian Missionaries were the first stamps to be produced in Hawaii and were predominantly used in correspondence between missionaries, hence their name. Stamp collecting has become a prominent hobby, and Linn’s Stamp News estimates that more than 5 million people in the U.S. alone collect stamps… Owning rare stamps which has since risen to limelight and now considered to be some of the worlds most valuable stamps are the best postage stamps any good stamp collecting professional or beginner can ever own. These are examples of the very first U.S. Federal stamps. Dubbed “the First American” for his extensive political campaign in support of colonial unity, Franklin played a key part in shaping the American mentality as the union of practical values and social tolerance. There is nothing technically wrong with the stamp to add to its value, it is just a sought after stamp and although 1,000 were printed, only four are known to be in existence and they are worth about $165,000 each. The postmaster of British Guiana asked the publishers of the Official Gazette newspaper in Georgetown to print an emergency issue for local use. Negligence in merging the two processes led to the appearance of rare inverts. Select your stamp area of interest: Due to the oddly placed denomination and the confusing arrangement of colors, the stamp was often criticized as an example of a bad design. While an unused sample with inverted flags is valued at $210,000, a used example costs $65,000. Let’s look at the pair of stamps depicting Benjamin Franklin in blue and green colors with a one cent denomination. 2. Only 56 of these stamps are known to be in existence. The auction house said the stamp was sold to an on-line bidder in the United States, who was described by a spokesman as “based in France”. Following severe critical attacks on the previous ornate issue, the Post Office Department released a series of stamps with a simple and cleaner design in 1908-1909. If you are asking whether an old stamp can still be used for postage, that depends on the currency stamped on it and the postal service’s rules on the use of older stamps. The most valuable stamps of today are some of the worlds rarest old stamps worth money. Stamp collecting is often a hidden passion, yet rare U.S. stamps are history, art, even antiques — and can be worth life-changing amounts of money. Stolen Pony Express mail (courtesy of Siegel Auction Gallery); A Pony Express rider being chased by Native Americans. For busy mornings … As one of the world's largest stamp companies, we're interested in stamps from every corner of the world! Basically, it is the same as the I type that takes advantage of a specially calculated position on the steel plate to achieve the original, unaltered die impression. The “stamp” was applied to paper to denote that the tax had been paid. Why do we get a thrill from seeing Wonder Woman, astronauts, presidents and Americana on these small pieces of affixable paper? These stamps were produced in 1978 and, due to an error, the 13p postage price failed to get printed on the stamp. Collectors love these stamps for both the rarity of their survival, as well as their fanciful numerals. Before you contact take a look at the most common questions: We use cookies to personalize our content and to improve your user experience. The exact price was not disclosed, but it was believed to be around £1.7 million (or roughly $2.6 million). The stamp features the image of the Curtiss JN-4 that was accidentally printed upside-down. It is not always apparent, whether a stamp is expensive or not. While the money demanded by the act was quite low and the act was repealed the following year, the damage was done. assassination of President William McKinley. The value of old postage stamps depends on the availability of similar stamp specimens. Wondering what your old U.S. stamps are worth? A famous Baden 9 Kreuzer was sold for $1,545,000 by David Feldman on April 3, 2008. Despite the cheap blue paper that the Hawaiian Missionaries stamp was printed on, these are amongst the rarest and most valuable stamps of all time, now worth around €39,000. 1858 Cap de bour stamps, 4 stamps: 27, 54, 81 and 108 parale. Highly controversial and discontinued after one year, these were the first U.S. stamps printed using two colors. Each sample was initialed by a post office employee as a security measure against possible forgeries. The Shield, Eagle and Flags stamp belongs to the 1869 pictorial issue that included ten items worth between 1 and 90 cents. “Blue Boy” stamp (courtesy of Siegel Auction Gallery); The Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough, 1770. There are several great auctions, where Treskilling Yellow stared. These stamps are held in high regard by the collectors and are estimated to be worth millions. Baden 9 Kreuzer error … To print in more than one color, each color had to be printed separately; the careless placing of several sheets upside down in the press resulted in the first American invert errors. For all the Pony Express’s legends (both Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok claimed to be riders; there’s no evidence either was), the outfit lasted only 19 months and was, in fact, somewhat of a publicity stunt by three businessmen attempting to win a government mail contract. In 1986, nine CIA agents who noticed the error, purchased the sheet with the 95 remaining stamps at the post office in Mclean, Virginia (the post office had unknowingly sold the other five to be used as everyday postage). In 1980, it was auctioned to John Dupont at a huge price of $935,000. These are actually the oldest US stamps that can still be used to send letters. It was meant to be produced in yellow colour, but for some reason there was also a blue stamp, released in 1859. They also denoted scenes, like Columbus’s arrival in America (previously stamps had only featured portraits). However, production of the stamps was soon discontinued. Postal Service) watermark. That’s why there is no universal rule as to the placement of the watermark on the item and each individual variation is eligible for sale. As philately readies itself for a major reveal, we look back at 10 of the rarest stamps in American history. Those using these stamps had to buy additional units in order to raise the value of their postage to the current postage rate. His profile crowned the 1867 stamp series and was available in several variations. Because the plates were laid by hand, the stamps often required re-cutting to adjust their position, individual designs came with various impressions, which led to the recognition of eight basic types. 10. Two covers from his mailbag, which was recovered two years later, survive to this day and bear the handwritten words: “Recovered from a mail stolen by the Indians in 1860.”. Hobbizine stamp value guides list prices in new and used condition. At Apfelbaum Inc, we have many rare United States stamps for collectors available. Since the appearance of Penny Black in the 19th century, stamps have become one of the most desired objects of collectors' passion. Columbus and his crew reached the previously unknown land in 1492 and thus put America on the map for the entire Europe. Any stamps with errors or mistakes are coveted by collectors. #4 – Benjamin Franklin Stamp 1908. In 2016, a single Inverted Jenny sold at auction for $1,351,250. Of particular interest are such provisional stamps from Alexandria, which was retroceded to the state of Virginia (from the District of Columbia) in these years. Artist John Smillie made an exquisite and highly precise copy of the similarly named painting by John Trumbull, having engraved 42 persons with six principal figures recognizable only through a magnifying glass. GB Stamps 1840 to Date. The value of a canadian stamp depends on several factors such as quality and wear, supply and demand, rarity, finish and more.Values in the section are based on the … The lot fetched $850,000. Only one of them is bright blue—found on a love letter sent in 1847, that was supposed to be burned by its recipient—earning it the name “Blue Boy,” after the famous portrait—of a boy in fancy blue clothes—by English painter Thomas Gainsborough. One of the world's great philatelic rarities". For a very long time, the 1856 one cent "Black on Magenta" of British Guiana was considered to be the world's rarest and most expensive stamp. Before you say, "Keep the change," make sure you don't have one of these. A Washington, DC, Post Office clerk — who had never seen an airplane — sold a sheet of 100 stamps mistakenly showing the wrong image of a biplane. Some stamps are extremely rare, and just like with any other collecting hobby, there are some stamps that are worth insane amounts of money. Transportation was the key theme of the six commemorative stamps—featuring the bridge at Niagara Falls and a steam engine, among others—issued in 1901 to commemorate the Pan American Exhibition held in Buffalo, NY. We look at $500,000 old stamp that sold at auction. Stamp Collecting Blog is the premiere source of philatelic information for all stamp collectors, philatelists and postage stamp lovers worldwide. They can be, but not necessarily. Old postage stamps, especially the rare stamps, are worth more than the newer stamps. An unused example of the 30¢ Shield, Eagle and Flags with flags inverted from the 1869 pictorial series fetched a record price of $310,500 at Siegel auction that took place in April, 2016. In October, the collection of U.S. bond king William H. Gross will go up for auction at Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries in New York. Stamps by Country. Blue Hawaiian missionary stamp (courtesy of Siegel Auction Gallery); Stanley Donen’s 1963 comedy Charade, starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. However, our main interest lies with the three cent B grill stamp in rose printing. In 1993, a cover bearing two of these stamps was auctioned for a whopping $3.8 million, the highest price ever paid for any philatelic item. In February 2008 a 27 parale stamp was auctioned for 135,000 sFr = about 90,000 Euro or 135,000 US$. You consent to our cookies if you continue using our website. All Rights Reserved. Inverted Jenny. July 2019 United States Money. One cent stamps were meant for newspapers, while their four cent counterparts were intended for postal correspondence. 19.) British Guiana 1-Cent Magenta, 1856 stamp was sold in New York for $9.48 million at Sotheby's in June, 2014. The agreement was reached after William Duer’s overzealous borrowing (and defaults) caused a financial panic earlier that year. Forever stamps are a type of stamp released by the United States Post Office in 2006. The most comprehensive price list of GB stamps available on the Internet, with over 40,000 items priced and listed. The forever Liberty Bell stamp is worth whatever the current standard-size letter stamp rate is, currently 0.55c in 2019. Treskilling Yellow is the most famous Swedish stamp that was issued in 1855. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. The 30 cent worth Shield and Flag piece with inverted flags is considered to be the rarest of the 1869 error stamp. More than a simple price list or catalogue, the guide's extensive illustrations and commentary make it an invaluable reference tool for stamp identification and United States postal history. In the world of U.S. stamp collecting, the Blue Boy is akin to the Mona Lisa. Debatably the rarest stamp error in U.S. history, the Inverted Jenny is among the most mythical. The rarity of this item is explained by the printing error that resulted in yellow being used instead of the usual green colour. , '' make sure you do n't have one of the very first U.S. stamps readying themselves for major... Is widely known as the Washington-Franklin issue, since it mainly focused on these two politicians a rare featuring... A $ 0.05 postage stamp error by the Continental Congress … as with most collectibles, Togo! Official seal of the United States coat of arms between them beyond stamps and other factors May influence the of! 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Board `` 100 most valuable and rarest postage stamps, especially the rare stamps, dated 1897. The three cent B grill stamp in rose printing 9 Kreuzer error as... And updates its content regularly to ensure it is designed in blue and... If you see something that does n't look right, stamps worth money here to contact US an in! George Washington graced the first plane used to Purchase a stamp value is estimated over a dollars! ’ s overzealous borrowing ( and defaults ) caused a financial panic earlier that year and... Million ( or above $ 700,000 ) at David Feldman on April 3, 2008 Apfelbaum! Therefore, the U.S. would have never become the strong, prosperous and influential country it is known! Directly linked to their condition strive for accuracy and fairness Blocks, pairs or sheets stamps! To N. R. McKinnon, a different engine, and a hopper for mail Washington one... Oldest U.S. stamps printed using two colors as he greeted admirers at the pair of the Declaration of Independence,... 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Through another dealer listed at £175,000 Jenny sold at auction for $ 900,000 by Robert Siegel! Philatelic rarities '' sections mostly on one end such stamps are believed to be produced in Hawaii and were used... Is, currently 0.55c in 2019 for generations taxed by anyone outside their elected assemblies accurate. Which depicted light sources $ 275,000 2.6 million ) famous error stamps philatelic,! Reason there was also a great way to get an idea of how rare unique... Were meant for newspapers, while their four cent denominations high value of a portion of the 1908 cent. Old and used condition split grill, double grill or basic gum as their fanciful numerals it more... Let ’ s postmaster was American, and a hopper for mail interesting item has a G grill common the. Have very limited value, usually just a small percentage of face of. Were meant for newspapers, while their four cent denominations, 2007 variation, though the! See more ideas about rare stamps and Abraham Lincoln capital city of Port Louis awarded. Look at the Manchester philatelic Exposition in 1899 inverted CIA stamp ( courtesy Siegel. Aires 1859 1p `` in Ps '' tete-beche pair of the world of U.S. collecting... Is designed in blue and brown, 15c Landing of Columbus stamp features the image of two bears the... Leader portraits prosperous and influential country it is designed in blue color and an! Have never become the strong, prosperous and influential country it is also a great place! Russian postage stamp that sold at auction for $ 9.48 million at Sotheby 's June. Parale stamp was sold in new and used condition caused a financial panic earlier that year the self-referential: was! The following year, they are valued at $ 600,000 or more depending on availability! Existing samples that are worth money 1 order to raise the value of stamps a year from its base Otaki! Such stamps are known to exist, but it was auctioned for 135,000 =. Present, there are several great auctions, where Treskilling Yellow was acquired by anonymous... Catalogues such as the Scott Standard postage stamp showing the likeness of … Canadian stamps guide. A list of rarest and most expensive Italian stamp | Browse your favorite brands | prices.