At Tony Lester, we believe stamp collecting is still one of the most popular hobbies, with collectors from all around the world participating. Although its prominence has declined since the 1950s and 1960s when over half of all youths had a stamp collection of some kind, the increase in internet e-commerce platforms has led to a plethora of rare stamps being released in recent years.
Most Valuable Stamps In the World
If you believe stamp collecting is only for amateurs and not something a wise investor would explore, you should reconsider. People around the world love to collect various stamps for several reasons. The following are some of the world’s most valuable stamps and rare stamps.
Mauritius 1847 1d Red – $9.6 million (£6.9m)
In 1847, this “Red Mauritian” stamp was used as the first British stamp issued outside of England in Empire days. It was used to deliver an invitation to a costume dance given by the island Governor. The others belong to the British Library and Queen Elizabeth II. This ticket was only available in Germany for auction, causing a bidding war that resulted in a new world record price for a ticket and one of the most valuable stamps.
British Guiana 1c Magenta, 1856 – $9.48 Million
In the past, just one known copy of Britain’s 1856 1 cent magenta left the world’s most precious stamp. It was then purchased by shoe designer Stuart Weitzman, the stamp is also regarded as the Mona Lisa from the world of stamps, for little under $9.5 million ( £8.1 million) in 2014 owing to a scarcity of British stamps in Guyana.
China 1897 Small One Dollar Red Revenues – $4.6 million (£3.9m) each
These stamps are famous for their pricing, as well as the most desired for is the uncommon “Small One Dollar” series. This is an original block of four. This Chinese philately crown gem, sold in 2009 for $15,2 million. This is $18.3 million comparable in today’s money (€15.6 million).
Treskilling Yellow, 1855 – $2.6 Million
This Swedish stamp of the 19th century is as unusual as it comes — there is just one of these stamps is known to exist. It was produced in yellow instead of the normal blue-green, and the error was not recovered at the time by quality control. Sold for 2.3 million dollars in Geneva in 1996, the selling price currently is 3.8 million dollars (3.2 million dollars).
The Sicilian Error of Colour, 1859 – $2.6 Million
This stamp was sold for 2.6 million dollars in Basel in 2011. The 1/2 grana colour mistake is Sicily’s rarest and most enigmatic stamp. The stamp is uncommon for a variety of reasons.
Mauritius 1847 1 & 2 Penny ‘Post Office’ – $2 million (£1.7m) each
This is one of the first post office stamps that was issued outside the British empire. There are only very few that are available and exist today. The last time a stamp of this kind was auctioned, it sold for £3.1m.
Baden 9 Kreuzer Error, 1851 – €1.31 Million
Due to a colour mistake, Germany’s greatest valuable stamp was created. The Baden 9 kreuzer stamp was supposed to be issued in pink, however, a batch made in 1851 used green ink by accident. There are just 4 specimens left, each valued $1.5 million (£1.3 million).
The Inverted Jenny, 1918 – $1.35 Million
The renowned ‘Inverted Jenny,’ a highly desirable mistake stamp, sells for a lot of money. For example, the inverted jenny was sold for £1.4 million at the Robert A. Siegel auction in November 2018.
Alexandria Blue Boy, 1846 – $1.18 million
In Alexandria, DC, this incredibly rare stamp was printed back in 1847, the sole specimen of a blue paper that is documented to be there. It is among the most expensive signs in the world because of its exceptional rarity. In 2019, the stamp was auctioned by HR Harmer for $1.18 million (£1m).
1c Benjamin Franklin Z Grill, 1868 – $935000
This is one of the very rare and precious USA postage stamps. This specimen is from storyteller William H. Gross and valued at $3 million (€2,3m) in the Scott Catalog. Only two of these exist today which makes it one of the most valuable stamps.
3c George Washington w/ B Grill, 1867 – $900000
One of America’s greatest searched philatelic gems is a very rare rose variation of the 1867 3 George Washington stamp. The most recent example to be auctioned went for a whopping $900,000 (£768k)
Tiflis Stamp, 1857 – $700000
The Tiflis stamp is a highly valued, and probably the most expensive stamp in Russia. This is considered a very rare postage stamp It was printed in 1857 in Tiflis
UK 1863 Penny Red Plate 77 – $645,000 (£550k)
A customer in Australia paid $645,000 (£550k) for an uncommon Plate 77 Penny Red stamp that was auctioned by Stanley Gibbons. Plate 77 stamps were thought to be of low quality, and all instances were meant to be thrown away. Only 5 of these stamps survived. Those that have survived are considered British philately’s holy grail.
24c Declaration of Independence, 1869 – $625000
The 24c Declaration of Independence stamp is greatly appreciated by collectors who have the expertise in this field, a magnificent mark of the prized 1869 American pictorial issue. The most precious examples are untouched which show a centre inverted – worth $275,000 (£234k) a pop.
Hawaiian Missionaries, 1851 – $600000
This renowned copy of the 2 other Hawaiian Missionaries from 1851. Thus is considered to be the best to exist. This was also auctioned at the Siegel sale in 2018.
UK 1904 6d Edward VII Pale Dull Purple – $469,000 (£400k)
It is regarded as the country’s rarest British stamp from 1904. Before withdrawal, just 19 sheets were produced yet only 3 have been said to remain. The lone specimen of an auction sold at a heavy $469,000 (£400k). This stamp is also called the I.R. Official.
Canada 1851 12d Black Empress – $445,000 (£380k)
Although the 1851 12d Black Empress is not really the uncommon Canadian stamp, it is the most precious. Only a few examples are available and the few on the market are subject to enormous prices up to 445,000 US Dollars (£380k);
China 1897 2¢ Red Maiden in the Green Robe – $444,477 (£379k)
Red Revenue, or the Green Robe Red Maiden in 1987, was produced in monetary reform as a temporary remedy. Green ink was written over the face value of 2 cents. The latter was sold for $444,477 (£379k) as well as the very small number is now in existence.
China 1953 800Y Blue Military – $428,700 (£366k)
This great specimen of a Frederick Heath-graved Penny Black proof, better deserving of a public museum than a private collection, is characterised as “one of the world’s main exhibits in philatelic terms.” Stanley Gibbons sold the product in 2016.
UK 1840 Penny Black Master Die Proof – £410,000 (£350k)
The stunning over-encrypted look of this uncommon Penny Black proof adds considerably to it. Only three such specimens survive, of which one is in the Royal Philatelic Collection.
UK 1840 Penny Black Heath Proof – $384,000 (£328k)
This great specimen of a Frederick Heath-graved Penny Black proof, better deserving of a public museum than a private collection, is characterised as “one of the world’s main exhibits in philatelic terms.” Stanley Gibbons sold the product in 2016.
Hong Kong 1941 $2 Inverted Dr Sun Yat-sen – $353,850 (£302k) each
This headstamp was produced in 1941 only on a single sheet of $2 stamps from Hong Kong. In 2012, the auction saw a total of 50 stamps that were incorrect. However, only two vertical pairings currently exist — this pair achieved $707,700 (£604k).
USA 1873 23¢ Lost Continental – $325,000 (£277k)
The Lost Continental is an elevated American stamp and the only recorded specimen of the 24 cents produced by General Wilfred Scott – the rareness of the stamp explains its great value.
USA 1869 30¢ Inverted Shield, Eagles and Flags – $310,500 (£265k)
This is also an erroneous stamp from the 1869 pictorial issue. This stamp is highly valued. It has the 1869 30¢ Shield, Eagles, and Flags stamp inverted. In 2016, at a Robert A. Siegel sale in New York, the stamp was been sold for £265k.
Canada 1868 2¢ Large Queen on Laid Paper – $250,000 (£213k)
This is an example of the scarce 2c large queen lai on paper. These stamps exist and there are 4 examples, of which one is this. An example was sold for about £213k the last time it was sold at an auction.
UK 1902 1s British Board of Education – $234,000 (£200k)
The British Board of Education produced just a few stamps bearing its name, This 1902 specimen is one of only 4 or 5 in existence. Stanley Gibbon also sold one of these stamps, that is to say, a philatelic rarity for $234,000 (£200k).
Hong Kong 96¢ Olive Queen Victoria – $206,000 (£176k) each
Another fortunate occurrence occurred in 1864 when printers accidentally printed 54 issues of Hong Kong 96 stamps in the wrong colour, they were printed in olive instead of brownish grey. The remaining 40 stamps fetch astronomical amounts at auction; in 2011, a block of 4 auctioned for HK$6.4 million ($825k/£704k).
UK 1882 £1 Brown Lilac – $198,000 (£169k)
UK high name marks are scarce and far from one other. This brown-lilac ‘One Pound’ is among four examples, of which it is obviously the best. This is dated 1882. Sold some years ago through Stanley Gibbons.
Bermuda 1848 1d Perot Provisional – $195,000 (£166k)
Amongst collectors, This Bermuda’s first stamp is valued. There are only eleven examples and three are in the Royal Philatelic Collection of Queen Elizabeth II. In 2016, this gem was sold by Stanley Gibbons who is a London-based stamp collector.
Stamps are usually more valuable if
In good condition
It may seem self-evident, however, a stamp that is in the same condition as when it was released by the Post Office (fresh with complete original gum) will indeed be valued more than one that has been hinged or damaged before.
They have bright, fresh, and original colours
The value of a stamp will be considerably diminished if the colour has faded (due to water or light).
Issued before 1960
A stamp collector is best described as an archaeologist of postal history who regards stamps and covers as important artefacts. The most valuable objects are usually uncommon and have an interesting backstory.
From a country of interest
Classic stamps, which originate from 1900 or before, are incredibly rare and ancient stamps from nations when postage deliveries were scarce. They are, in most circumstances, among the first stamp releases from such a country, and as a result, they might fetch a higher price.
The face value is a higher denomination
Due to their scarcity, stamps with values greater than 1/- (one shilling) are typically worth considerably a lot. Generally, some British decimal currency stamps have facial values in pounds as well as pence. Such stamps are valued at less than £sd. Regrettably, each of these varieties is frequently traded for far less than their face is worth.
No piece of the stamp is missing
Even if it is exceedingly rare, a stamp with part of its design or a perforation absent will not demand higher prices or a premium price.
Creases and other damage are minimal
The value of a stamp is considerably reduced by a twist or wrinkle. Lighter ‘wrinkles’ will degrade stamps as well, although to a lesser extent.
They are ‘unhinged’ and not stuck to a page
It’s definitely worth a stamp that never had a hinge to apply, as it still has its entire original gum. This little sheet of translucent folded paper tends to dissolve the initial glue of the stamp when a hinge is placed, rendering it far more inexpensive – and this even after removing it. Never try to remove a hinge from a stamp to harm it.
It’s got a unique cancellation on it
If an unusual or uncommon cancellation mark has been applied, older marks remaining on the original envelope may be seen as somewhat more useful. Never take stamps from the original item from which it was mailed, to maintain the legitimacy of a stamp.
It contains a rare error
When a printing or manufacturing fault results in a fault on a stamp pattern, like a missing colour or feature, such stamps become very valuable and are typically worth much more than a ‘regular’ issue.
It has perfect perforations
Stamps with lovely borders, or as they are called in philatelic circles, neat “perforations,” are more valuable. In most situations, the more a stamp is valued, the nicer the perforations are.
It has a light and tidy cancellation mark
Soaking a stamp on the nose implies that a circular date stamp cancellation sign has also been placed extremely near to its centre. A stamp is much more valuable when it is completed in a neat and light way, with either the date, place name, as well as location included.
For an honest appraisal of your stamp collection, make sure you have in contact with one of our experienced stamp collectors who specializes in stamps.