We’ve already explored the rarest stamps from many countries, including Germany, France, the UK, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Israel, the Vatican, Italy, Switzerland, New Zealand, the USA, Monaco, the Falkland Islands, Greece, Austria, Luxembourg, Malta, Finland, Sweden, Poland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Today, we turn our attention to Iceland, where we’ll uncover the rarest and most valuable stamps this unique country has to offer.
Iceland's history is deeply intertwined with the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. This connection began with the first settlement around 870, as Iceland was previously uninhabited. Some sources suggest there may have been earlier Norse settlements. Iceland was under Norwegian rule from 1262 to 1380 and then under Danish rule from 1380 until 1918. As a result, when Iceland’s postal system was introduced and the first stamps were issued, the country was still under Danish control.
3a on 5a green stamp / Prir
Iceland – 1897/11/01
Denomination: 3 Icelandic eyrir
Estimated value: 23,000 USD (Spink, May, 2008)
“In 1776, King Christian VII of Denmark issued a decree that a postal system should be established in Iceland. Two years later regular postal sailings began in Iceland and Denmark; one trip a year. The first Icelandic stamps were issued in 1873, and by that time the postal system had been put under local administration and the first post offices had been established. In 1935, postal and telephone services were merged under one name, Póstur og sími.” - posturinn.is
40a lilac block of four
Iceland – 1898
Denomination: 40 Icelandic eyrir
Estimated value: 26,000 USD (Cherrystone auction, June, 2006)
It’s worth noting the evolution of Icelandic currency from 1873, when the first stamps were issued, to today:
4s green stamp on cover
Iceland – 1874
Denomination: 4 Icelandic skilling
Estimated value: 31,815 USD (Postijonen auction, September, 2018)
The two most valuable Icelandic philatelic items are the stamp and a cover from the 1870s.
5 Aur Perforation
Iceland – 1876
Denomination: 5 Icelandic eyrir
Estimated value: 32,890 USD (Postijonen, September, 2018)
It is believed that only three specimens of the 5 Aur Perforation stamp exist, which explains its extremely high value.
3 Skilling on cover
Iceland – 1873
Denomination: 2+3+3 Icelandic eyrir
Estimated value: 91,000 USD (Cherrystone, June, 2006)
The most valuable philatelic item from Iceland is the 3 Skilling on cover. Only one such item is known to exist, and it has all the qualities needed to justify its high value. The stamp is both old and well-preserved, while the cover itself remains in good condition. This combination resulted in a value of 91,000 USD in 2006, and I estimate that its value today could exceed 100,000 USD.
If you’d like to learn more about rare and valuable Icelandic stamps, be sure to check out these two videos:
Today, we’ve explored some of the most valuable Icelandic stamps. Be sure to follow us for more articles in this series, coming soon. In the meantime, check out the previous articles to continue your philatelic journey.
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