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 20 May 2021
Most valuable Swedish stamps
One of the world's most stable, prosperous countries, Sweden needs no introduction, particularly to philatelists. Both historical and contemporary collectors’ Swedish stamps are highly sought after. This beautiful country has a long postal history that is why it is not surprising that it can offer endless possibilities for collectors who are interested in different branches of philately. The history of Sweden has been well documented on its commemorative stamps, the collecting of which can provide many years of enjoyment. The definitive issues also offer a great opportunity for a philatelic study, offering numerous printing and perforating varieties. There are many reasons for beginning a Sweden collection — because of its wealth of unique and interesting issues, the more collectible Sweden stamps are consistently strong performers at auction. Sweden is also a great country to specialize in if you are interested in Scandinavian history or simply appreciate the beauty of a good design.
Treskilling Yellow stamp, 1855
Treskilling Yellow issued in 1885 is regarded as one of the world’s valuable stamps and the most expensive item of Swedish philately. The stamp is so valuable and scarce because of error of color: it was meant to be issued in green, but instead, it was printed in bright yellow color. Philatelists claim that only one specimen of this expensive item exists today. The story of this item began when it was found by a young collector Georg Wilhelm Baeckman in 1885 (he was a schoolboy at that time). In 1886 Georg traded the stamp to a dealer for just seven Kroner. Treskilling Yellow appears on the market rarely, but when it is auctioned, it always fetches incredible sums. In 1996 this stunning rarity was sold for 2,8 million Swiss francs or roughly $2,3 million at David Feldman auction. In May 2010 the same auction house traded this unique rarity to an anonymous buyer. Although the exact price was not disclosed, the item was estimated to fetch around £1.7 million (or roughly $2.6 million). Currently, the stamp is owned by Count Gustaf Douglas who acquired it in a private sale. The sum of money he spent on such a valuable purchase was not revealed.
6 Skilling Banco imperforate, 1855
6 Skilling Banco Imperforate is a wonderful Swedish stamp that is also considered to be a real philatelic gem. There are only 4 copies with a full canc. "CARLSHAMN 6.7 1856" exist today. One of the most beautiful examples of 6 Skilling Banco Imperforate was sold for $35,242 by Postiljonen AB in March, 2011. The stamp featured very good margins all around, which guarantees that it was originally imperforate. This copy was not documented until January 1949, when Nils Strandell wrote about it in Frimärksnytt No. 1. Besides a pair in a private collection, one copy is held by the Swedish Postal Museum and another one by the British Museum in the Tapling Collection. Thus this is the best of only 2 single copies available to private collectors.
Sweden’s Horses stamp booklet, 1994
Sweden’s Horses stamp booklet, 1994 is a relatively modern philatelic rarity of Sweden. This is the only known example of Sweden’s 1994 Horses stamp booklet printed with denominations of 3.60 kronor on each of the 10 stamps. The standard booklet of 10 consists of five stamps each of two Horses designs with 3.20k denominations. This unique variety was never issued, but one specimen managed to survive. The booklet cover is also unique, in that it describes the 3.60k stamps and is printed in two colors. Sweden’s Horses stamp booklet was offered by Christoph Gaertner at its June 11-15 sale in 2018. This unique lot was sold for $23,300.
80ö black King Gustav V stamp, 1918
80ö Black King Gustav V stamp, 1918 is one of the key rarities of Swedish philately. It features the facing portrait of King Gustaf V who reigned from 1907 until his death in 1950 at the age of 92. He is also possibly the most controversial Swedish monarch to reign in the 20th Century. After this issue, Sweden turned to a lion design and a new portrait of Gustav V. After printing, all copies of this bright stamp were delivered to the Post Office at Varnamo on 2 July 1918. That is why these philatelic items are also known as “Varnamo” issue. The strip of three 80ö Black King Gustav V stamps, incredibly well centered, in an extremely fine condition was auctioned for $10,000 by Spink on May 16, 2008.
20/TRETIO error stamp, 1879
20/TRETIO error stamp, 1879 is one of the most famous Swedish philatelic items. Issued in 1879 it clearly shows its value as 20 ore in figures, but the inscription on the stamp reads 'TRETIO', meaning thirty in Swedish. Twenty in Swedish is 'TJUGO', which is the value that should have been inscribed on the stamp. The mistake arose in the use of the wrong die in laying down the plate. The central value shown as a numeral and the outer part of the stamp with the value in words would have been entered onto the plate using two separate dies, which became mixed up. A wonderful unused copy in perfect centering of this famous error was offered for $9,420 at Postiljonen auction on October 10, 2009.
Tre Skilling Green stamp, 1855
Tre Skilling Green, 1855 is a cousin of the stamp known as 'the most precious item in the world'. It is the first postage stamp issued in Sweden that depicts the Swedish coat of arms and was normally printed in a blue-green color. Although the Tre Skilling Green is a rare stamp in its own right, by far its most remarkable quality is its relation to another stamp, which needs no introduction among philatelists.
There are some varieties of Tre Skilling Green, 1855 that contain some mistakes. One of such stamps is 1855 3s Blue green with "TOE" for "TRE" error. It is a rare unused example of this important issue, in fact, it is the only recorded unused specimen according to the Facit catalog. The stamp is also considered to be a highly desirable example of one of Sweden's most important classic rarities. This particular item was sold for $8,500 by Spink on May 16, 2008.
Gustav V 20ö violet stamp, 1921
Gustav V 20ö violet, 1921 is one of Sweden's most prominent stamps. It is one of twenty-five major-type definitive stamps of Sweden issued between 1921 and 1936. The stamps are all engraved. There are actually not that many denominations in this series. Due to the fact that this series was issued over such a long period of time, there was a need for major color changes, causing duplication of many of the denominations. The common design features a left-facing portrait of King Gustaf V. One of the finest examples of this stamp featuring fresh colors, fine, unpriced in Facit, was sold for $3,500 by Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions in October, 2011. This particular specimen misses from most collections and considered to be one of Sweden's rarest stamps.
20o blue Gustaf V stamp, 1920
20o Blue Gustaf V stamp, 1920 is one of the major-type definitive stamps of Sweden issued between 1920 and 1921. Considering as one of the rarest 20th century stamps of Sweden, this beautiful stamp is engraved and its design features a facing portrait of King Gustaf V. Very fine example of this great philatelic item, printed on watermarked paper, was sold for $2,000 by Robert A Siegel on 27 June, 2013. Centered to top left as are all known examples of this stamp, with this copy actually better centered than the vast majority, this item is a real philatelic gem for collectors.
20o on 2o Orange Air Post stamp, 1920
20o on 2o Orange stamp, 1920 is a prominent Swedish Air Post stamp, only 100 copies of which were printed. These items were intended to pay either an airmail fee that was charged in addition to the surface rate or the full airmail. When the service started in August 1920, no specific airmail issues were available, that is why the regular postage stamps were used. When a new connection linking Malmo with Copenhagen, Hamburg, Bremen, Amsterdam and, finally, London was opened, the Swedish Post Office released a set of three airmail stamps on Sept. 18, 1920. The 20-ore stamp was the second of three denominations. One of the finest examples of this remarkable philatelic item, featuring bright and fresh colors, was sold for $1,300 Daniel F. Kelleher auction that took place in October, 2011.
20ö blue Gustavus II Adolphus stamp, 1920
20ö blue Gustavus II Adolphus stamp, 1920 is a rare commemorative stamp of Sweden issued to celebrate the 300th Anniversary of the Swedish Post, which ran between Stockholm and Hamburg. The item shows the left-facing likeness of Gustavus II Adolphus who is considered to be the founder of Sweden as a Great Power, and he is regarded as one of the greatest military commanders of all time. The stamps were issued in three formats, a perforated 10 vertically coil stamp on unwatermarked paper, a perforated 10 vertically coil stamp on watermarked paper, and a perforated 10 booklet stamp on watermarked paper, as shown above. The rare watermark variety of 20ö blue Gustavus II Adolphus stamp was auctioned for $1,250 by Spink on May 16, 2008.
