From 2021 to 2024, the world of stamp collecting has seen some incredible sales. Many original stamps with true historic value have been sold for record prices at auctions. These five expensive stamps not only attracted buyers but also highlighted how important postal history has become. So, let's take a look at the five most wanted stamps that have been sold at auctions quite recently.
1. British Guiana 1-cent Magenta, 1856 (8.3 million USD)
During an extensive period of time, this stamp from the British colony was deemed the most elusive and expensive stamp ever. In 1856, British Guiana faced an urgent need for extra stamps. They could not wait for new supplies from England, where they were typically produced. Thus, the local postmaster sought assistance from the publishers of the Official Gazette to print an emergency batch for local use. They created somewhat rudimentary designs with one-cent and four-cent denominations. The one-cent stamps were designated for newspaper use, while the four-cent ones were for postal service.
In June 2021, Sotheby’s conducted the Three Treasures auction, showcasing the renowned stamp. The auction house valued this lot between 10 and 15 million dollars. Ultimately, this postal item was purchased for $8.3 million.
2. British Mauritius, 1847, Ball cover (12.6 million USD)
In 1847, British Mauritius marked a significant moment in philatelic history because of the renowned postage stamps release. The "Ball" cover is one of the most well-known items from this era, featuring the rare Mauritius penny red-orange stamp. The envelope with a letter was sent from Port Louis to a recipient in Bordeaux, France, highlighting the international connections of the time. Philatelic specialists estimate that fewer than 30 unique copies of the Post Office Mauritius stamp still exist today.
In June 2021, Christoph Gärtner auctioned a notable "Ball" cover, which includes a rare Mauritius penny red-orange stamp. This remarkable piece achieved a sale price of 8.1 million EUR, which was equivalent to 12.6 million USD.
3. 500 mon Inverted Center, 1871, Japan (5.57 million EUR)
The first set of Japanese stamps appeared in 1871 and featured a dragon around the "mon" money denomination in the middle. One of these sheets contained the 500 mon stamp with its center value reversed; it wasn't until 1973, more than a century later, that an American collector uncovered this blunder. Its value soared from $75,000 to millions over the last 50 years, making it the first time this stamp has been put up for auction since it was first sold in 1973. It was immediately recognized as the epitome of Japanese philately.
Asia's most valuable stamp, the 500 mon Inverted Center, was part of one of the most important collections of Japanese stamps that David Feldman International Auctioneers had the honor of showcasing on June 3, 2023. The winning bid was secured by a man from Asia who participated in the bidding over the phone. A respectable European collector, meanwhile, was disappointed to lose the bid.
4. Rare Benjamin Franklin Z Grill stamp, 1868 (4.4 million USD)
This stamp is one of only two in existence. The second stamp is housed in the NY Public Library. Presently it's on loan to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C., and is not available for sale. It is considered by philatelists to be one of the most sought-after stamps, and this is the first time it has changed hands in 26 years. The "Z" Grill stamp completes an extensive set that includes all of the postage stamps that the USPS has produced since 1847.
This Franklin 1868 one-cent "Z" Grill was auctioned as part of the collection belonging to Bill Gross in June, 2024. He was known as the “Bond King” and co-founder of the asset management firm PIMCO.
5. Inverted Jenny, 1918 (2.01 million USD)
The Inverted Jenny is a notable stamp in the collecting world. This famous error features an upside-down Curtiss JN-4 airplane, which stopped its production and increased its value for collectors.
Only one sheet of 100 inverted stamps was made. The mistake likely happened when a wrongly positioned carmine frame sheet was printed again or when the printer used an upside-down blue image plate by accident. This particular stamp comes from position 49 in a sheet of 100 and was bought on May 14, 1918, for its face value of $24 in Washington, D.C. It is still in perfect condition.
In November 2023, A man from New York acquired a rare postage stamp at the Robert A. Siegel auction, with a purchase price of slightly over $2 million. It was sold two minutes after the bidding started.
