We present you the rarest and most expensive stamps, but this is not an all-encompassing set. Various nuances, such as a secret mark or a curl, not obvious and not evident at first sight, can make an ordinary stamp expensive.
So not every stamp that looks like a stamp that appears on this page can be that expensive. If you want to identify your stamp that looks like one of the stamps on this list, you need to check all of its varieties (this information is available to our subscribers on our website).
This article is updated on 21 August 2021
Most valuable Spanish stamps
The philatelic history in Spain is very rich and presents many opportunities for collectors. Although Spain has had functioning postal systems since the late 15th century, it was not until January 1, 1850, that the Kingdom issued its first postage stamp. It was the iconic Queen Isabella classic imperforate issue that is considered as one of the scarcest today. Spain also released some interesting philatelic items in the 19th century. These were commemorative stamps depicting Don Quixote Rome Catacombs Restoration in 1928, and probably the most attractive series of all the 1930 Goya and Columbus sets.
2r blue error of colour stamp, 1851
2r blue error of color stamp is the second issue of postage stamps for Spain that appeared in 1851. Considered as Spanish most impressive stamps, it contains the error of color that was caused by the accidental insertion of a 2 reales cliché in the printing plate of the 6 reales. This was then printed in blue giving the mistake. There are only three specimens of 2r blue error of color stamps that exist today. In 1974 a fine copy was sold privately by Galeria Filatelica, Barcelona fetching a price of $450,000. In 1996 a perfect mint specimen was sold for $23,200 and a good used copy fetched $15,000. Nowadays the Dos Reales of 1851 – whose error of color is well known as Spain’s scarcest stamp – is thought of as a real gem of Spanish philately.
Planes and landscapes imperf stamp, 1939
1939 Planes and landscapes set of two imperforated stamps are the relatively modern rarity of Spanish philately. These stamps were prepared for issuance but never released. Only five examples from this interesting series without gum were introduced into postal use, each with a bottom sheet margin. 1939 Planes and landscapes stamps are one of the most notable Spanish issues, as only 50 specimens were printed. The set of two 1939 Planes and landscapes imperforated stamps were auctioned by Cherrystone in March 2013. The lot, with the 2004 Comex certificate, fetched a record price of $17,250.
Queen Isabella II 2 reales orange-red stamp, 1851
2 reales orange-red is a classic stamp of Spanish philately. This is one of six definitive Spanish stamps issued on January 1, 1851. The item is typographed, unwatermarked, imperforate, and is inscribed "1851". This impressive collectible also shows the profile of Queen Isabela II who served as a ruler of Spain from 1833 to 1868. She was Spain's first true constitutional monarch during a period of growing social and political conflicts. A wonderful used example of 2 reales orange-red appeared at Corinphila auction in September 2013. This rare vintage stamp with large margins all around, neatly canceled (leaving Isabella's profile clear) by araña handstamp in black, fetched 8000 CHF, or roughly $8,641.
Queen Isabella II 2r pale rose stamp, 1852
1852 2 reales pale rose is one of the most interesting stamps from Dos Reales series. Its design is similar to the design of other philatelic items within this issue. The stamp depicts the head of Queen Isabella II, who reigned from 1833 for 35 years, and also contained the inscription “Correos 1852”. It was not used for foreign certified mail except for Portugal. The unused example of 1852 2 reales pale rose without gum (illustrated here), with 1997 CEM and 2010 Sismondo certificates, was sold by Cherrystone in September 2012. Described by the auction house as “the high value of the 1852 series in perfect condition”, this stamp is considered as one of the greatest rarities of Spanish philately. The lot fetched $8,500. In December 2019 another unused specimen of 1852 2 Reales pale red, without gum, featuring margins all around, splendid color and impression, in a very fine condition was offered by Cherrystone. This impressive Spanish collectible realized $8,500.
3c Bronze Arms of Madrid stamp, 1853
3c Bronze definitive stamp was released by Spain on January 1, 1853. All the items within this issue are typographed, unwatermarked, and imperforate. The stamp features the Coat of Arms of Madrid (a bear sable supported on a strawberry tree vert fructed gules) and was only valid for local-postage within the city of Madrid. Nowadays 1853 3c Bronze stamp is considered as one of the most impressive classic stamps of Spain that misses from even the richest philatelic collections. The unused example of this item (shown here) in a very fine condition, featuring rich colours, was offered by Cherrystone in September 2012. The estimated price for this lot was $19,000, but it only managed to fetch $8,500. A fine specimen of 3c Bronze Arms of Madrid was sold at Siegel auction in December 2015. This impressive vintage stamp, unused, featuring rich color, was sold for $5,500.
Queen Isabella II 2r vermilion stamp, 1853
1853 2 reales vermilion stamp is one of the key rarities of Spanish philately. It should be mentioned that there are no examples of 1853 2r vermilion stamp with gum. The paper that was used for printing 2 reales vermilion stamps was very fragile that is why it was necessary to remove the gum, as it otherwise ruined the paper. A fresh and very fine example of this delicate philatelic item, on very thin (pelure) white paper, featuring margins all around, deep and beautiful color, with 1974 Comex, 1991 Graus and 2010 Sismondo certificates, was auctioned by Cherrystone in September, 2012. This exquisite unused classic stamp in excellent condition fetched $8,000.
25m blue and rose frame inverted, 1867
25m blue and rose frame inverted is a remarkable Spanish stamp that was released in 1867. This is a definitive issue denominated in Milesimas that shows Queen Isabella II who was the queen of Spain from 1833 to 1868. The only certified "genuine" used example of this impressive rarity was auctioned by Spink in June 2009. The lot had a light bar cancellation, warm rich colors, and small faults including light thinning, trivial stain at right, and a rounded corner at the bottom right. Despite these defects, the stamp proved to be highly collectible. With a 1969 RPS certificate (showing corner perforation tips intact before they became rounded) the item was sold for $4,000.
Queen Isabella II 10r green stamp, 1850
10r green stamp is one of the first issues of Spain introduced on January 1, 1850. The item shows Isabella II, a Queen of Spain from 1833 until 1868, and is inscribed "1850" at the bottom. Following the example of Great Britain, Spanish stamps do not show the name of the country. Apparently, it was assumed that placing the image of the monarch on the stamp gave sufficient information for postal employees all over the world to recognize the state of origin. An unused example of this rare collectible (Illustrated here) was sold by Cherrystone auction house in September 2012. The lot, without gum, featuring margins all around, in fresh and very fine condition, achieved $3,250. A very fine and particularly rare original-gum example of 1850 10r green was sold for $1,700 at Robert A. Siegel sale that took place in December 2015. As the auction house stated, this is an “original gum example on the First Issues of Spain that is seldom encountered.”
2c green Coat of Arms stamp, 1854
2c green Coat of Arms stamp is one of seven definitive Spanish stamps that were issued during 1854. These philatelic items are typographed, unwatermarked, imperforate, and, except for the 2c denomination, they are all inscribed "1854". The stamp shows the Spanish Coat of Arms that is depicted in green color on white paper. An unused example of 2c green Coat of Arms without gum, featuring margins all around was offered to collectors at Cherrystone auction in September, 2012. The stamp, with 1988 Graus and 2010 Sismondo certificates, was sold for $1,500.
4P carmine rose King Alfonso XIII stamp, 1889
4P carmine rose King Alfonso XIII stamp is quite an interesting Spanish philatelic item that features the Spanish king at age of four. Alfonso XIII was King of Spain from 1886 until the proclamation of the Second Republic in 1931. He was a monarch from birth as his father, Alfonso XII, had died the previous year. His mother, Maria Christina of Austria, served as regent until his 16th birthday in 1902. A wonderfully fresh mint single example of the 4P carmine rose King Alfonso XIII stamp was auctioned by Spink in October 2009. The lot, particularly well centered for this terribly difficult issue, featuring lovely bright color, in a very fine condition, managed to fetch $1,250.
