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 May 2021
Most valuable Icelandic stamps
Remote and insular, Iceland nonetheless has a long philatelic history that interests many collectors. The first Icelandic stamp that had simple numerical design was issued in 1873. The first non-portrait pictorials depicting various historical and mythic events were introduced in 1930 to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the country’s parliament. Other interesting philatelic releases include the first airmail issues of 1928 and a 1931 Graf Zeppelin overlay, as well as revenue stamps. Though the market for rare Icelandic stamps is small, the material that this country can offer is popular among collectors who are specializing in European or Scandinavian philately. Many of the country’s best issues are colorful, well-designed, and feature interesting graphic motifs, including fish, geysers and waterfalls.
The Unique 3 Skilling on cover, 1873
3 Skilling is one of the first definitive postage stamps of Iceland that was issued in 1873. At this time, Iceland was an internally-self-governing dependency of the Kingdom of Denmark, thus the first Icelandic philatelic items closely resembled the contemporary postage stamps of Denmark in appearance. The pair of 3sk gray in combination with 2sk on cover, all tied by Reykjavik 17.6 cds, with "Kjobenhavn 28.6" arrival on reverse, was offered by Cherrystone at its auction that took place in June, 2006. The 3sk stamps feature average centering, and are in a very fine condition. Considered as a major philatelic rarity, the unique 3 Skilling on cover was sold for $91,000.
5 Aur Perforation 12 ¾ stamp, 1876
5 Aur Perforation 12 ¾ stamp is an exceptional Icelandic philatelic item that is worth a real fortune. The stamp is designed in a brown colour and its denomination is shown inside of a crown. It is very scarce and valuable because only three specimens with such a perforation are recorded today. A fabulous copy of 5 Aur Perforation 12 ¾ stamp was auctioned by Postijonen in September, 2018. This very fresh, lightly hinged and well centered specimen with Møller & Grønlund certificates, and Thier. sign was sold for 29,000 EUR (or roughly $32,890) at this sale.
4s green stamp on cover, 1874
4s green stamp is a remarkable Icelandic philatelic items, only 50,000 copies of which were issued. But the rarest specimen is that one, which is attached to a cover sent from Reykjavik to Hjardarholt in 1874. On private hands only two covers franked with official stamps have been recorded, the famous "Bible cover" as well as a cover with a single severely damaged 4 sk. Postijonen auction house offered 4s green stamp on cover at its sale that took place in September, 2018. This unusual philatelic item was recently discovered, and managed to fetch an incredible price of $31,815.
40a lilac block of four, 1898
40a lilac stamp is a spectacular Icelandic definitive issue. It is denominated in Danish Kroner (100 Aurar (Øre) = 1 Krone). The unique block of four 40a lilac stamps is especially valuable and popular among stamp collectors. In a very fine condition, well centered, pencil signed "Strandell" it appeared at Cherrystone auction that took place in June, 2006. Of the 40 recorded examples, this is one of only two known blocks, with 1985 Beskow, 1999 and 2003 Moller certs. The 40a were virtually all overprinted "I Gildi" ("valid") and only handful managed to reach collectors. This true showpiece of Icelandic philately was sold for $26,000.
3a on 5a green stamp, 1897
3a on 5a green stamp, 1897 is one of the most remarkable Icelandic philatelic items from the "Posthorn & Crown Numerals" series. The example with the «3 prir» surcharges, either in small or large type, on the 5a stamp perforated 14 x 13 1/2 is among the rarest of all of Iceland's issues. When found in large type, 3a on 5a Green stamp is incredibly valuable. Such an example was offered by Spink at its auction that took place in May, 2008. This really fantastic philatelic item is being Iceland's rarest mint issue with only one specimen known. Featuring marvelously fresh, deep rich color, well centered, the stamp, which was a party of a famous William Gross collection, was sold for $23,000. Obviously no collection of mint Iceland stamps can be complete without this famous item.
10a blue Official on letter, 1876
1876 10a Blue Ultramarine official is one of those Icelandic stamps, which attract collectors’ attention. The most valuable specimen is tied to a rare 1877 folded letter sent to Gudrunarkoti. The letter features central strike of "Hjardarholt/18.11" town and additional clear strike at bottom of cover. Any of the early officials attached to a cover are extremely rare, often with just a few examples of each value known properly used. 10a Blue Official on letter, 1876 was sold for $17,000 at Spink’s auction that took place in May, 2018. The stamp was described by the auction house as “fairly well centered, with tiny corner flaw at bottom right of little significance.”
25a yellow brown & blue with black overprint, 1902-03
25a yellow brown and blue with black overprint is one of the rarest major-type Crowned Numeral Iceland stamps that were overprinted and re-issued in 1902 and 1903. They are all printed on paper with WMK 112. With the issue of the King Christian IX portrait definitive stamps just beginning in 1902, the Crowned Numeral type stamps were no longer valid for postal use. To fix it, various denominations of the Crowned Numeral items were overprinted "Í GÍLDI / '02 -- '03" meaning "VALID / 1902 - 1903". A premium mint example of this very rare stamp, brilliantly fresh, strong rich colors, attractively centered, was auctioned by Spink in May, 2008. Signed H. Bloch and accompanied by a 1993 Debo certificate, the lot fetched $11,000 at this sale.
10a red carmine "I Gildi" overprinted in black, 1883
10a red carmine with a black overprint is one of the Crowned Numeral Iceland stamps that were overprinted and re-issued in 1902 and 1903. With the release of the King Christian IX portrait definitives, the Crowned Numeral type stamps were no longer valid for postal use. To rectify this, various denominations of the Crowned Numerals were overprinted "Í GÍLDI / '02 - '03" meaning "VALID / 1902 - 1903". 10a red carmine "I Gildi" Overprinted in Black is truly unique, as less than 100 copies were produced. A very fine and fresh example of this rarity was sold for $8,512 by Postijonen in October, 2016.
20a blue with red overprint stamp, 1902-03
20a blue with red overprint is one of the most impressive Icelandic stamps that are definitely worth collectors’ attention. It is so scarce because of an overprint error (it had to be '02-'03 instead of 02'-'03). The specimens without such a mistake are also terribly elusive, however the stamps with the error are much sought after. A fresh mint example of this outstanding philatelic item, perforated 14 x 13 ½, was offered by Spink at its auction that took place on May 16, 2008. Rather well centered, featuring rich color, this lot in a very fine condition with 1986 Svendsen certificate fetched $8,500.
1k-10k Hopflug Air Post overprint, 1933
Early airmail stamps of Iceland were produced by overprinting contemporary definitive postage stamps or incorporating a bird or airplane into an item’s design. The first airmail issues that were actually inscribed "FLUGFRIMERKI" or "FLIGHT STAMPS" did not appear until 1934. 1k-10k Hopflug Air Post overprint was released on June 16, 1933 for letters being carried on the Iceland stopover of General Italo Balbo's Seaplane Squadron's Trans-Atlantic flight from Rome to the Century of Progress World's Fair in Chicago. One of the specimens of this scarce air post in a very fine condition was offered by Robert A Siegel in May, 2015. Accompanied by 2014 Moller certificate, this bright lot fetched $2,600.
