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United States Stamp Values


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1847 General Issue - Imperforate

On July 1, 1847, Congress authorized the Postmaster General to release the first United States postage stamps. Two imperforate stamps were issued, the 5 cent Benjamin Franklin which paid the domestic letter rate of 5 cents per half-ounce for up to 300 miles, and the 10 cent George Washington which paid the domestic letter rate of 10 cents per half-ounce for distances greater than 300 miles.





Denom.DescriptionMintUsed
5 cent Franklin - red brown$2,500.00$400.00
10 cent Washington - black..$750.00



1875 Special Printing (Reproductions of 1847 Issues)

In 1875 the Post Office issued reprints of the first stamps as part of the nationwide celebration of the United States Centennial.





Denom.DescriptionMintUsed
5 cent Franklin - Red brown$750.00..
10 cent Washington - Black$900.00..


1851-56 Imperforate Issue

In 1851 a new series of stamps was introduced to accommodate lower postal rates. Domestic deliveries of up to 3,000 miles were now charged only 3 cents per half-ounce and local delivery charges were reduced to 1 cent. New portraits were introduced for Washington and Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson was added.

The one cent blue Franklin introduced at this time and then re-issued with the 1857 perforated issues listed below is one of the most thoroughly studied of any stamp. This study has resulted in a large number of recognized variations. The original design for the one cent Franklin was slightly too large to fit in a 200 stamp plate. Therefore various outer elements were trimmed away to squeeze the stamps into the plate. Collectors have identified numerous types of the stamp based on how much of the design was trimmed.







Denom.DescriptionMintUsed
1 centFranklin - blue - Type II - missing lower balls and plumes.$500.00$90.00
1 cent Franklin - blue - Type IIIa - either top or bottom line broken but not both..$500.00
1 cent Franklin - blue - Type IV - recut at top or bottom or both$300.00$75.00
3 cent Washington - orange brown - Type I$1,350.00$70.00
3 cent Washington - dull red - Type I$95.00$7.00
5 cent Jefferson - red brown - Type I..$500.00
10 cent Washington - green - Type I..$450.00
10 cent Washington - green - Type II$1,800.00$120.00
10 cent Washington - green - Type III$1,800.00$120.00
12 cent Washington - black..$180.00


1857-61 Perforated 15

In 1857 the Post Office Department began perforating stamps. All of the designs of 1851 were re-released in the new perforated format and an additional three designs were added.







Denom.DescriptionMintUsed
1 cent Franklin - blue - Type I - full design$750.00$325.00
1 cent Franklin - blue - Type II - missing lower balls and plumes.$475.00$140.00
1 cent Franklin - blue - Type III - both top and bottom lines broken..$1,350.00
1 cent Franklin - blue - Type IIIa - either top or bottom line broken but not both$900.00$300.00
1 cent Franklin - blue - Type IV - recut at top or bottom or both..$425.00
1 cent Franklin - blue - Type V - partially erased side ornaments$70.00$27.50
3 cent Washington - rose - Type I$1,100.00$72.50
3 cent Washington - dull red - Type II$35.00$4.75
5 cent Jefferson - brick red - Type I..$825.00
5 cent Jefferson - red brown - Type I$2,000.00$525.00
5 cent Jefferson - brown - Type I$1,000.00$195.00
5 cent Jefferson - orange brown - Type II$525.00$650.00
5 cent Jefferson - brown - Type II$750.00$180.00
10 cent Washington - green - Type I..$600.00
10 cent Washington - green - Type II$2,275.00$165.00
10 cent Washington - green - Type III$2,275.00$165.00
10 cent Washington - green - Type IV..$950.00
10 cent Washington - green - Type V$100.00$40.00
12 cent Washington - black$700.00$180.00
24 cent Washington - gray lilac$550.00$225.00
30 cent Franklin - orange$825.00$240.00
90 cent Washington - blue$1,200.00..


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These prices for U.S. stamps are provided as a service to Hobbizine readers. They are derived from numerous sources such as dealer price lists, advertisements in philatelic publications, and public auction results. Use these values as a guideline for evaluating the reasonableness of dealer prices, setting up trades with other collectors, and estimating the worth of your collection. The value of an individual stamp is dependent on its centering and condition. The prices listed here are for well centered, undamaged stamps. A particularly nice example might sell for more than the amount listed, while a poor copy might be worth less.



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