We’ve already talked about the rarest stamps from 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, and Liechtenstein. Today we’ll take a look at the rarest and most valuable stamps from Norway.
Norway has existed as a country since the 9th century. In more recent history, and for us today, it's important to note that Norway was part of the Denmark-Norway union from 1524 until 1814, when it became independent again—actually, as part of the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway, known as the United Kingdoms.
Parallel to these developments, postal services were established and evolved over the centuries.
"On 17 January 1647, the Post Office was established by Hannibal Sehested - Danish governor of Norway. The Dutchman Henrik Morian was given the exclusive right to run the Post Office for an annual fee. 376 years later, Norway Post has become a Nordic group.
1827: The Post Office becomes the country's first steamship owner, and acquires the steamships "Constitutionen" and "Prinds Carl" to improve postal services along the coast and abroad.
1854: The first railway line in Norway opens, and becomes an important part of our postal transport.
1855: The first Norwegian stamp is issued." - www.postenbring.no
3 Ore Shaded Posthorn Stamp
Norway – 1877/01/01
Denomination: 3 Norwegian øre
Estimated value: 4,617 USD (sold by Kjell Germeten, May, 2015)
The first two of the five most valuable Norwegian stamps we’ll look at today date back to the 1870s, and they share a similar design.
"In 1872, Norway introduced its first stamp with a posthorn design; stamps of this type, with periodic redesigns, have been in use ever since." – Wikipedia
It's interesting to note that this stamp type holds the record for being the longest used in the world, from 1872 until today.
2sk Posthorn Blue Stamp
Norway – 1872/11/08
Denomination: 2 Norwegian skilling
Estimated value: 5,327 USD (auctioned by Skanfil’s Moldenhauer in November, 2018)
The third stamp we’ll mention today is the 1907 King Haakon Stamp. This stamp is notable because its motif is King Haakon VII (formerly Prince Carl of Denmark), the first independent Norwegian king after the 1905 dissolution of the union between the kingdoms of Norway and Sweden.
King Haakon VII
Norway – 1907/08/10
Denomination: 1 kr (Norwegian krone)
Estimated value: 5,924 USD (block of 4 stamps, 1911 issue, sold by Kjell Germeten, April, 2017)
The top two most valuable Norwegian stamps are actually the same stamp. They are also Norway's first stamp—the 1855 4sk Blue Coat of Arms.
(4sk Blue) Coat of Arms (The First Norwegian Stamp)
Norway – 1855/01/01
Denomination: 4 Norwegian skilling
Estimated value: 7,927 USD (sold by Christopher Gärtner, November, 2018)
The first of these two is a single stamp that was sold in 2018 for almost 8,000 USD.
Trondheim Block (block of 39 used 4sk Blue Stamps)
Norway – 1855
Denomination: 39 * 4 Norwegian skilling
Estimated value: 1,700,000 USD (at David Feldman auction, April, 2008)
When something has its own name in the philatelic world, you know it's special and valuable. In this case, it's also unique. The Trondheim Block is a canceled block of 1855 4sk Blue Coat of Arms stamps. This block achieved an incredible 1,700,000 USD at the David Feldman auction in April 2008.
If you want to learn more about rare and valuable Norwegian stamps, feel free to check out this video:
Today we’ve explored some of the most valuable Norwegian stamps. Feel free to follow us, as more articles in this series are coming soon. While you wait, take a look at the previous articles in this series.
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
