We have already examined the rarest stamps from numerous 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, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Indonesia, Namibia, China, Hong Kong, and Mexico. Today, we take a look at the rarest and most valuable Japanese stamps.
Japan’s modern postal system was introduced during the early Meiji period, when the country was rapidly modernizing many parts of public life. The idea was strongly pushed by Maejima Hisoka, who had studied postal systems abroad and understood that Japan needed a faster, more reliable, and more organized way to send letters and official communication. Thanks to his work, the government officially started the new postal service on April 20, 1871, first connecting Tokyo and Osaka.
Dragon Stamps – Japan 1871/04/20
48 mon (brown)
Series included: 100 mon (blue), 200 mon (orange), and 500 mon (blue-green)
On the same day, Japan issued its first postage stamps, known today as the Dragon stamps. The first issue included four values - 48 mon, 100 mon, 200 mon, and 500 mon - all featuring a dragon design. These stamps were not just small pieces of paper; they marked the beginning of Japan’s modern national postal network and became some of the most important items in Japanese philately.
Many of the rarest Japanese stamps date from the early Meiji period, especially the 1870s, when Japan was building its modern postal system. These stamps are valuable not only because they are old, but because some of them exist in only a handful of known examples. A few are so rare that they are considered major treasures of Asian and world philately.
Japan – 1875
Estimated Value: ~$125,000
The 1875 Japanese “Tama 6 yo” is one of the best-known rarities from the Cherry Blossom issue. Its value comes from the rare 6 sen stamp with syllabic mark “yo”, which makes it much harder to find than most similar stamps from this period. Only around seven examples are known today. Because of this, every confirmed example is treated as an important discovery among collectors.
Japan – 1874
Estimated Value: ~$200,000
The 1874 Cherry Blossom 20 sen reddish violet, native paper, syllabic 1 “I” is even rarer. Only about five examples are believed to exist, and not all of them are in perfect condition. This stamp is especially interesting because it was not a regular stamp commonly used by the public. Its rarity, age, and connection to Japan’s early postal history make it one of the most desirable Japanese stamps.
1871 500 mon Dragon “Centre Inverted”
Japan – 1871
Estimated Value: ~$6,000,000
The 1871 500 mon Dragon “Centre Inverted” is the most famous and valuable Japanese stamp. Only one example is known, which makes it unique. The error happened when the central part of the stamp was printed upside down, creating one of the greatest printing mistakes in Asian philately. In 2023, this stamp sold for millions of euros, confirming its status as one of the most important stamps in the world.
Today we’ve seen beautiful, rare and valuable Japanese stamps. While you wait for the next article in this series, be sure to check some of the previous articles.
UK - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable UK Stamps
France - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable French Stamps
Germany - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable German Stamps
Ireland - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Irish Stamps
Belgium - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Belgium Stamps
The Netherlands - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Dutch Stamps
Australia - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Australian Stamps
Canada - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Canadian Stamps
Spain - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Spanish Stamps
Portugal - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Portuguese Stamps
Israel - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Stamps of Israel
Vatican - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Vatican Stamps
Italy - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Italian Stamps
Switzerland - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Swiss Stamps
New Zealand - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable New Zealand Stamps
USA - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable U.S. Stamps
Monaco - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Monaco Stamps
Falkland Islands - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Falkland Islands Stamps
Greece - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Stamps of Greece
Austria - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Austrian Stamps
Luxembourg - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Luxembourg Stamps
Malta - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Malta Stamps
Finland - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Finland Stamps
Sweden - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Swedish Stamps
Poland - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Polish Stamps
Liechtenstein - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Liechtenstein Stamps
Norway - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Norwegian Stamps
Iceland - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Icelandic Stamps
Greenland - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Greenland Stamps
Indonesia - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Indonesian Stamps
Namibia/South West Africa - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Namibian (South West Africa) Stamps
China - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable China Stamps
Hong Kong - Rarest Stamps: Most Valuable Hong Kong Stamps
