The world’s five most valuable stamps

Here is a quick rundown on the world’s five most valuable stamps.

Sweden Three Skilling Banco, Yellow Color Error, 1855

This stamp was issued in 1855 and a printing error saw it come out on yellow paper instead of the intended green paper. Just one copy is known to exist, found in 1885 by a young Swedish boy. Because there is only known to be one in existence, it is remarkably valuable. Sold for $2.3 million at auction in 1996.

Post Office Mauritius, 1847

The Governer of Mauritius decided to issue the colony’s first postal stamps in 1847. A local watchmaker was granted the contract to make two stamp designs. During the process, the watchmaker accidentally engraved “post office” instead of “post paid” on the stamps. More than 200 stamps had hit the market before the error was picked up. Less than 30 copies are believed to exist today. Valued at a minimum of $600,000, but a cover bearing two stamps sold for $3.8 million in 1993.

U.S. Franklin Z-Grill, 1867

The rarest US stamp, only two copies are known of. Benjamin Franklin is depicted on the stamp. The “Z-Grill” design was intended to prevent cheats from reusing the stamps. One sold for $930,000 in 1988.

Hawaiian Missionaries, 1851

The first stamps issued in Hawaii. Printed in Honolulu in three variations – 2-cent, 5-cent and 13-cent. The original copies were printed on very poor paper so few have survived. A 2-cent missionary, the least valuable, is estimated to be worth $760,000.

British Guiana One Cent Black on Magenta, 1856

This was long considered to be the world’s most valuable stamp. Printed under “emergency” conditions in British Guiana in 1856 when the colony ran out of stamps. Crude one-cent and four-cent denominations emerged. The stamps were printed on a magenta background and featured a sailing ship and the colony’s motto. A copy of this stamp sold in 1980 for $935,000.