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We’ve already talked about the rarest stamps from Germany, France, the UK, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Israel, Vatican, and Italy. Today we’ll take a look at the rarest and most valuable Swiss stamps.
As we know, Switzerland is today in 26 cantons, and there are 4 national languages of Switzerland - German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Therefore, before the establishment of the Swiss Post in 1849, cantons issued their stamps. Therefore, from 1843 to 1848 we have cantonal issues from Geneva, Zurich, and Basel.
Double Geneva stamp
Series: Cantonal issues: Geneva
Denomination: 2*5 Ct. (Swiss centime)
Switzerland - 1843/09/30
34,500 USD at Cherrystone auction in March 2015
“Swiss Post was founded on 1 January 1849. Today, the company is one of Switzerland’s largest employers and transports millions of parcels and letters every year. A lot has happened in the more than 170 intervening years. For example, did you know... that Switzerland was the second country to introduce the postage stamp? Shortly after, the craze for collecting stamps kicked off – together with trading and counterfeiting.” - https://www.post.ch/en/about-us/news/2022/history
2½-rappen Winterthur stamp
Series: Winterthur
Denomination: 2½ Rp. (Swiss rappen)
Switzerland - 1850/03/12
75,984 USD at Rapp auction in November 2014
From 1850 to 1852, Switzerland issued local mail and rayon stamps. Also, during this period, on 7 May 1850, franc (1 franc = 100 Rappen (German) / centime (French) / centesimo (Italian) / rap (Romansh)) was introduced as a monetary unit of Switzerland.
Note: Before Swiss franc, cantons used their local currencies like: Bern livre, Geneva livre, South German gulden, Zurich gulden, Central Swiss gulden.
10-rappen Rayon II stamp
Series: Coat of arms below post horn
Denomination: 10 Rp. (Swiss rappen)
Switzerland - 1850/10/01
89,807 USD at Rapp auction in November 2008
These stamps were intended to be used as follows:
Basel dove
Series: Cantonal issues: Basel
Denomination: 2½ Ct. (Swiss centime)
Switzerland - 1845/07/01
109,878 USD by Rapp auction in November 2014
Note: “Basel Dove is the world’s first tri-color stamp issued by Switzerland in 1845. During this period in Swiss history, each canton issued their stamps. This issue is unique as it is the first in various ways: it is the only stamp issued by the Canton of Basel, the first item to combine engraving and embossing, and it was the first stamp to depict a bird.
Created by the architect Melchoir Berry, Basel Dove features three colors: blue, crimson, and black. However, such a design wasn’t appreciated by the local populace and was soon withdrawn. Nowadays, the Basel Dove is considered to be one of the most beautiful classical stamps in the world. A «dream pair» of these exceptional items was sold by Rapp auction house at a price of $109,878 on 26th November, 2014.” - https://mynation.net/stamps/463/
All 5 most valuable Swiss stamps, presented in this article fall in these categories, so they are either cantonal issues, either rayon issues.
5-rappen Rayon I stamp
Series: Coat of arms below post horn
Denomination: 5 Rp. (Swiss rappen)
Switzerland - 1850/10/01
293,000 USD by Rapp auction in November 2008
“5 Rp. Rayon I stamp, 1850 is one of the first issues presented by Switzerland. This item features a horn above a red shield bearing the white Swiss cross. 5 Rp. Rayon I stamp was one of the first countrywide stamps to be put into circulation after cantons adopted the federal constitution in 1848. The items with completely framed cross are thought to be the rarest among these issues. One of the finest specimens of 5 Rp. Rayon I stamps, printed on blue (shades), wove paper, was auctioned for $293,000 by Rapp auction house in November, 2008.” - https://mynation.net/stamps/461/
Today we’ve seen top 5 most valuable Swiss stamps. If you would like to see 100 most valuable Swiss stamps you can do it in this video.
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