Discover the Most Valuable US Stamps

You know a stamp is rare when only a hundred of them have been issued. Issued way back in 1918, this stamp had a face value of 24 cents. However, it’s the printing error that made this stamp so valuable and unique. The plane depicted on the stamp is the JN-4HM, built by the Curtiss company in the middle of World War I.

Even though almost all the faulty stamps were destroyed, only a few of these rare philatelic items managed to survive. One of them was sold for a whopping $1.35 million at the Robert A. Siegel auction on May 31st, 2016.

1847 has to be the year of stamps in US history. It was also the year when the United States government started selling stamps for purchase for the very first time.

As a nod to the deputy postmaster and one of the Founding Fathers of the USA — Benjamin Franklin — some stamps with his pictures on them were issued in 1847. A block of 16 pieces of these stamps with a fascinating history was allegedly sold at $220,000.

Even though there’s still debate going around about whether this stamp is from 1765 or 1766, we know one thing for sure — this is one of the rarest and most important stamps of the US.

This slightly torn piece of paper is basically the testimony of “The Stamp Act” that ignited the American Revolution. As of now, the Almanac stamp is carefully preserved at the Siegel Auction Gallery.

The “Blue Boy” is one of the very few surviving stamps from the Postmaster’s Provisionals in Alexandria. It does justice to its name as it was printed on a sky blue paper.

Considered to be one of the most popular philatelic objects of America, it was sold for $1.18 million at an auction by H.R. Harmer, which took place on June 22nd, 2019 at the Collectors Club in NYC.

Stamp collectors root for stamps with errors, rarities, and historical importance. Luckily, this stamp has all three. It was the first-ever US stamp to be printed in two colors.

Apart from a highly controversial historical context, it’s not only the first bicolor stamp issued by America, but it’s also the first stamp that was classified as “erred” by the Post Office Department. Issued in 1869, it was discontinued after one year after the impeachment of Andrew Johnson.

Issued back in 1851, this stamp with a face value of only two cents is the very first stamp to be issued for the Kingdom of Hawaii. Only a handful of these stamps could survive till this day, so no wonder it’s considered to be one of the rarities of philately.

At the Robert A. Siegel sale in 2018, a blue Hawaiian Missionary stamp from the William H. Gross collection fetched a whopping $619,500.

This one right here is one of the most historically significant stamps in American postal history. It was named after the “Pony Express,” a private mail service that was established in 1860.

The service used a network of young riders and stations in which mail could travel from across the country in around 10 days whereas, by a stagecoach or ship, it would take weeks or months respectively. Unfortunately, the service only lasted 19 months.

The famous CIA Invert Stamps with a face value of one dollar are postage stamps issued by the US Postal Service, on 2nd July 1979. From 1975 to 1981, a series of stamps depicting light sources and colonial rush lamps were issued by the Post Office.

However, it was printed as inverts and the error was pointed out by nine CIA agents first. Later, it was named CIA Invert and sold to a stamp collector for $25,000.

This stamp holds a special value to the collectors as it’s the last invert that was issued by the US Post Office in 1992. It was specially issued to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the NYC Stock Exchange.

Out of a hundred stamps, a total of 56 stamps had their center inverted. Few of these erred stamps were sold for an impressive $60,000 at an auction in New Jersey.

The historical context and controversy behind this stamp helped it rank seven on the list of 100 greatest US stamps. Soon after its release in 1869, the Post Office was heavily criticized for its oddly-placed denomination. However, it’s the error that made this stamp incredibly valuable.

One inverted version of the stamp with Shield, Eagles, and Flags print fetched a massive $310,500 at an auction organized by Robert A. Siegel in 2016.

Printed on a light-purple hue and vertically ribbed paper with a face value of 24 cents, the Lost Continental stamp was issued by the famous Continental Banknote Company in 1873. The stamp has a picture of the military commander General Winfield Scott printed on it.

After decades of debate about the authenticity of this stamp, it got the long due “authentic” tag by the New York Philatelic Foundation and later sold for $325,000 in December 2004.

This has to be the most sought-after stamp in the history of America. Not only is it exceedingly rare, but this stamp also has the history of US Postal Printing extensively associated with it.

Furthermore, it has the profile of George Washington, the key figure of America printed on it. One of the finest pieces of this philatelic treasure was sold for a record $900,000 at the Robert A. Siegel auction in 2008.

Associated with the Civil War issue and legendary political theorist Benjamin Franklin, the Benjamin Franklin Z Grill is the most valuable US postage stamp on our list. Issued in 1868, this stamp came in eight varieties and today each of the variables contains a true rarity.

As of today, only two Z Grill has managed to survive and one of them was listed for the Scott Catalogue for a staggering $3 million.

Out of all the century-old stamps, this one is still considered to be eligible for sending letters. Issued in 1867, this stamp features a rare “Z” grill with horizontal ridges that makes it stand out from the crowd.

Due to its exceeding rarity and significance in the Civil War, one of the stamps fetched a massive $150,000 at the William Gross collection that took place in New York in 2018.

This stamp, issued in 1869, was a copy of the famous painting by artist John Vanderlyn. An unusual feature of this particular stamp was a double-printed vignette with normal and inverted printing applied in which it had a brown frame and blue center.

The first bi-color stamped issued by the US, the stamp cost just 15¢ at the time of its release. If it went to auction today, though, an inverted sample of this stamp has an estimated worth of at least $275,000.

Originally created in 1892, this stamp was first issued in 1893. During the production process, the use of the wrong ink resulted in a massive error. It also affected the price range heavily.

However, even years after its discontinuation, a few of the erred stamps are believed to be in existence. A few years back, a block of four faulty stamps was sold for $165,000 at the Cherrystone gallery.

This stamp here was first issued in 1861. It was running till 1867. Sadly, it was not a part of the philatelic rarity. This blue gem got reprinted back in 1975. The reissue was rare of a kind.

But, during the second release of this rare blue stamp, it was printed on white thick paper. This stamp was auctioned at the Robert A. Siegel (pictured far right) auction house and was sold for the worth of $150,000.

Another Benjamin Franklin stamp has appeared on our list yet again. Featuring an imperforate frame, this one is one of the oldest US Postal office stamps that’s considered to be an extremely rare philatelic treasure.

Today, about a hundred of these stamps are believed to exist and each of these costs at least $15,000 a piece. At the Sigel auction in 2007, an unused version of the one-cent Benjamin Franklin Stamp was sold for a whopping $375,000.

Here’s another stamp that commemorates the history of the United States. As a testimonial to the independence day of July 4th, 1776, the US Postal Office issued stamps in two colors.

Due to its small stature and historical significance, philatelic experts have labeled this stamp as a “miniature masterpiece.” An unused sample of this stamp fetched a big $625,000 at the William Gross Collection in 2018.

These stamps came in two gorgeous shades. One was printed in a reddish-brown shade whereas the other one had a dark green tone. These stamps covered places in Paris from 1851 to 1857.

After that, the publication of these stamps was at a halt — even though back in the times, these stamps were sold out for five cents only. Over time, when these pieces turned into something rare, they were sold at $77,625 at the Cherrystone auction.

For its unusual design with a rare “Z” grill and horizontal ridges, both the rarity of this stamp makes it pretty valuable. Although it resembles the five-cent Abraham Lincoln stamp, the one-cent Benjamin Franklin Stamp has its own charm.

It was first issued in 1867 and since then, only two of these stamps have managed to exist. Each of these stamps cost a whopping one million dollars.

This block of four US Postage stamps costing five cents each is from the year 1856. Even though the denomination of this stamp was obsolete due to the change of postage rates, the US Post Office continued printing this issue.

Featuring a portrait of former president Thomas Jefferson, this imperforate block of four used stamps were priced at an estimated $45,000 at the Sigel auction hall in New York.

Next up is a George Washington stamp that was issued on September 21st, 1857 — with the face value of 10 cents at that time.

This stamp resembles the US dollar bill quite a bit as it has the picture of George Washington printed on its green paper. This rare imperforate 10¢ type stamp is said to hold an estimated value of a whopping $600,000.

Here’s another five-cent Thomas Jefferson stamp that was issued in 1858. Soon after the drop in the postal rate, this issue was introduced to the public by the US Postal Office. As the mail delivering cost dropped drastically, this new stamp created quite a buzz.

Featuring a complete and non-overlapping design, this stamp sold for over $70,000 a few years back at the Robart. A. Siegel auction.

Here’s another stamp in our list with a highly controversial context. After receiving backlash from the ornate issue, the American Post Office department introduced these stamps from 1908 to 1909. The stamps surely lived up to the hype and managed to become a success.

An unused vertical pair of one cent Benjamin Franklin stamps exist to this date and was sold for $300,000 at the Robert. A. Siegel auction in 2015.

Moving on to the next stamp that was issued in 1911. William Howard Taft was president at that time and it had the face value of three cents only. Featuring a beautiful fringe design and deep violet color, this stamp has quite a unique look.

One of the finest specimens of the US Postal Office, the three-cent George Washington stamp was snapped by a man with a massive $60,000.

This one was the very first Cigar Revenue stamp to be introduced by the American Postal Office, issued in 1953. To meet the increasing demand and cost of cigars, the postal office introduced a few more series of these stamps in the market.

Although it was discontinued in 1959, it still holds a valuable place for avid stamp collectors. The existing pieces of the Seven Class F Series 124 stamps are now valued at over $130,000.

Next up is a $20 valued stamp from the year 1873. Printed by the Continental Bank Note Company, this stamp has got the ‘Department of State” tag engraved on it and it’s also been overprinted with the word “specimen” in red watercolor.

Back in the time, the use of this stamp was strictly limited and was created to be used on government mail. It was sold for a staggering $80,000 at the Sigel sale.

The St. Louis Bear stamps are the most unique stamps on our list. It was issued in 1845, by the St. Louis Post office in order to assist the paying up of postal fees. This five-cent valued stamp has a picture of two standing bears on it.

Discontinued after 1895, the few existing St. Louis office stamps were authenticated by the Philatelic Academy and are now listed at $50,000 in the Scott catalog.

Moving right along to a Harding stamp from the year 1923. One corner of this stamp has the year 1856 and the other corner has 1923 marked on it. It’s a memorial stamp that was created to pay a nod to Warren G. Harding, a few months after his passing.

Rather than using them for mail, most of these stamps were safeguarded as souvenirs, and today each of these stamps cost a little over $100,000.

Here’s a whopping $50 dollar stamp that was issued in 1942. Issued to assist and speed up the collection of a tax, this bright green stamp has the stock transfer logo on it.

This stamp came in real handy to transfer the shares of stock, and yet it was discontinued a few years later. The few pieces that managed to survive ended up at The Siegel auction and were sold for over $30,000 apiece.

Here’s another stamp featuring president George Washington that is the rarest of all the stamps. Issued back in 1880, this stamp was certified by the national Philatelic Foundation for its exceeding rarity.

Printed with the portrait of the president on a bluish green-hued paper, it’s also one of the most sought-after stamps of America. Preserved at Drucker collection, the three-cent George Washington stamp has $130,000 worth of value.

Here is yet another Pan-American invert with a ton of history behind it. Issued in 1901 to commemorate the Pan American Exhibition — a world’s fair held to showcase achievements of nations — which was held in Buffalo, New York.

And while the expo was quite memorable, it wasn’t due to the stamps but rather the assassination of President William McKinley. This particular stamp was later preserved as philately and sold at a public auction a few years back.

Although this stamp has some weird ink scratch pressed on it, it’s a very rare and valuable stamp on our list. Issued at Jeffersonville in the year 1875, this is a stamp that belongs to the Prominent Americans Series.

Printed by the Rotary Press, some existing one-cent Thomas Jefferson are now collected at a Philatelic Store and listed for an estimated $50,000 for each stamp.

This one right here is a graded stamp from the year 1909. It’s a two-piece stamp connected together with a face value of 10 cents apiece. These two yellow-colored stamps are very lightly hinged with a tiny internal crease in the corner.

However, they are still pretty decent to look at and were sold for over $35,000 together at an auction center.