No products in the cart.
We’ve already talked about the rarest stamps from Germany, France, the UK, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Israel, Vatican, Italy, Switzerland and New Zealand. Today we’ll take a look at the rarest and most valuable U.S. stamps.
The United States is the leading country in many terms, so it’s no wonder that United States stamps also achieve great values. The long history of issuing the stamps, combined with the interest for these stamps results in higher values. Also, issuing stamps for a long time leaves a lot of space to make errors, and these errors achieve even greater values. Today we’ll see top 5 most valuable U.S. stamps.
The first U.S. stamps were issued in locally in 1842 (New York stamps), 1845 (New York & Baltimore), 1846 (Alexandria, Brattleboro, Boscawen, New York, Lockport, Millbury, Providence, St. Louis). In 1847, the first U.S. stamps were issued. They had Benjamin Franklin & George Washington heads as motifs. Many stamps followed later, and also many of them used president busts as motifs. This stands until today.
George Washington (1732-1799), first President of the U.S.A.
10 c, Z Grill with points down, 11x14mm (13-14 x 18 points)
United States - 1867/08/13
$1,000,000 (Siegel Auction, July 2019)
The number 5 on the list of the most valuable United States stamps is a George Washington, 10c, 1867 stamp. The value of this stamp comes from the fact that it’s one of the major U.S. philatelic rarities with only six known copies.
Alexandria “Blue Boy”
United States - 1987
$1,180,000 (H.R. Harmer, June 2019)
The next one on the list of is the Alexandria “Blue Boy” stamp. Alexandria was one of eleven municipalities that produced stamps. One of these stamps was the “Blue Boy” stamp. The value here, as it’s mostly the case, comes from extreme rarity. Only seven of “Blue Boy”s are known to exist today.
Stamp errors are one of the most common reasons for such stamps to have high or very high values. And, once again, this comes from the fact that these stamps are rare. The rarity this time comes from the fact that the original series was printed in small numbers before somebody noticed an error and made things right. Some of these stamp errors were destroyed, while others survived until today. That is the case with the following 2 valuable U.S. stamps.
Declaration of Independence (inverted center), 24c
United States - 1869
$1,200,000 (Philip Weiss Auctions, February 2008)
The 3rd most valuable United States stamp is the 1869, 24c, Declaration of Independence stamp, with inverted center. The error here comes from the fact that the center had been printed in the 2nd pass, and the operator, luckily for us, inserted the sheet the wrong way.
While the original stamp itself is a philately beauty, the inverted version, is not only beautiful, but extremely valuable. This stamp achieved a $1,200,000 price at Philip Wiess Accusation in 2008.
United States – 1918/05/10
$1,350,000 (Siegel Auction, May 2016)
We’re moving closely to the most valuable United States stamp. But, before that, let’s take a look at the 2nd most valuable U.S: stamp. It’s maybe the most famous U.S. stamp – Inverted Jenny.
"Inverted Jenny is just like „Regular“ Jenny, except the fact it's inverted and several thousand times more valuable. A total of 7 sheets with 100 stamps each were printed. 6 sheets were withdrawn and destroyed by USPS leaving only 100 of these in circulation. And 1 collector purchased them all."
Finally, we came to the top of our list. The most valuable U.S. stamp is the Abraham Lincoln, 1867, 15c, Z Grill with points down stamp. This stamp achieved the stunning $1,400,000.00 at Cherrystone, July 2019.
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), 16th President of the U.S.A.
15 c, Z Grill with points down, 11x14mm (13-14 x 18 points)
United States - 1867/08/13
$1,400,000 (Cherrystone, July 2019)
Today we’ve seen top 5 most valuable United States stamps. Feel free to check us because more articles in this series are coming soon. While you wait for them, take a look at previous articles from 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
