Find out everything you need to know about the most valuable 1-cent Benjamin Franklin stamps in our comprehensive guide. Discover what makes these stamps special, how to determine their value, and where to find them.
As a stamp collector, you must be familiar with the 1-cent Benjamin Franklin Stamps. The stamps are incredibly valuable and are highly sought after by collectors worldwide. However, did you know that some of these stamps are worth more than others? That's right. The value of a 1-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp depends on the printing date and its origin.
This blog post will look at the most valuable 1-cent Benjamin Franklin stamps. We'll also provide useful tips on determining the value of 1-cent Benjamin Franklin stamps.
8 Most Valuable 1 Cent Benjamin Franklin Stamps
Benjamin Franklin, one of the most prominent founding fathers of the United States, is widely praised for his numerous contributions to American society. Apart from his work in science and politics, Benjamin is praised for establishing the US postal system.
Due to his popularity, Benjamin Franklin's face was put on coins, medals, sculptures, portraits, and paper money. Benjamin's face has also been featured in several US postage stamps, including several 1-cent stamps. In fact, during the Civil War, stamps were used for currency, and Benjamin Franklin's face on the 1-cent stamp contributed to the increase in its exchange value.
Today, 1-cent Benjamin Franklin stamps are highly sought after by collectors. However, not all 1-cent Benjamin Franklin stamps are valuable. Some are worth thousands of dollars, while others are worth less than a dollar. Here are the eight most valuable 1-cent Benjamin Franklin stamps:
1. Benjamin Franklin 1 Cent Z Grill Stamp (Scotts #85A)
The Benjamin Franklin 1 cent Z Grill was issued by the United States Postal Office in 1868. This stamp is one of the rarest and most valuable US postage stamps. The stamp was printed using the Z grill embossed pattern printing method.
As of today, there are only two 1-cent Z Grill stamps. One can be found in the New York Public Library, and an unknown collector owns the other.
The Benjamin Franklin 1 cent Z Grill stamp was sold to Mystic Stamp Company for $935,000 in 1998. Currently, the price of this rare Z Grill stamp is estimated to be $3,000,000.
2. Benjamin Franklin 1 Cent Stamp (Scotts #596)
The Benjamin Franklin 1-cent Scotts 596 was issued by the United States Postal Office in 1923. The stamp was printed using the rotary press method, and its measurements are 19.25 by 22.5 mm. The stamp is green in color, and it has no watermark.
This stamp is very rare, and only 15 used copies exist currently. The Benjamin Franklin 1 cent Stamp Scotts 598 was sold for $190,000.
3. Benjamin Franklin 1 Cent Stamp (Scotts #316)
The United States Postal Office issued the Benjamin Franklin 1-cent Scotts 316 on February 18th, 1908. The stamp was printed using the flat plate printing method. Scotts 316 is blue-green, and it has a double-lined watermark.
There are no sales recorded, but the price of the Scotts 316 stamp is estimated to be $115,000. The stamp's measurements are 19.25 by 22.5 mm.
4. Benjamin Franklin 1 Cent Stamp (Scotts #192)
The United States Postal Office issued the Benjamin Franklin 1-cent Scotts 192 on January 1st, 1880. The stamp was printed using a special printing method. It is ultramarine. The estimated value for the Scotts 192 stamp is $16,000 – $23,000.
5. Benjamin Franklin 1936 1 Cent Stamp
The 1936 1-cent stamp was issued by the United States Postal Office in 1936. The stamp was printed using the engraving printing process. It is pale green, and it has a double-lined watermark. This stamp was sold for $25,000 in 2021.
. Benjamin Franklin 1 Cent Stamp (Scotts #594)
The Benjamin Franklin 1-cent Scotts 594 was issued by the United States Postal Office in 1923. The stamp was printed using the rotary press printing method. This unwatermarked stamp is grey-green. There are 17 unused and 88 used copies currently.
This stamp was sold for $10,000 in 2020. Currently, the estimated cost is $35,000.
7. Benjamin Franklin 1 Cent Stamp (Scotts #21)
This Benjamin Franklin 1-cent Scotts 21 Stamp was issued by the United States Postal Office in 1857. It was printed using the engraving printing process. The stamp is blue, and its measurements are 19.25 by 22.5 mm. The stamp was auctioned for $6,195 in 2017.
8. Benjamin Franklin 1 Cent (Scotts #167)
The Benjamin Franklin 1-cent Scotts 167 was issued by the United States Postal Office in 1857. The stamp is bright blue, measuring 19.25 by 22.5 mm. The stamp's estimated value is $7,600 – $9,500.
How to Determine the Value of 1 Cent Benjamin Franklin Stamps?
Here’s how to determine the value of a 1-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp:
- Identify the Stamp: The first step in identifying the value of your 1-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp is to identify it. Check out the year of issue, the Scotts number, and the color.
- Consider Condition: Once you've identified the stamp, you need to check out the condition of your 1-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp. Stamps that have been well-preserved over the years are more valuable than damaged ones.
- Consider the Rarity: Some 1-cent Benjamin Franklin stamps were produced in smaller quantities than others. Those produced in smaller quantities, like the Benjamin Franklin 1 cent Z Grill are difficult to find, therefore, more valuable.
- Consider the Color: Check out the color of your 1-cent Benjamin Franklin Stamp to determine its value. Basically, stamps with bright colors are more valuable.
- Research Recent Sales: Look for recent sales of similar stamps on the internet to get an idea of their current value. Check out the following sites: Online auction sites like eBay and Mavin; Stamp dealer sites; Stamp forum sites.
Conclusion
The above most valuable 1-cent Benjamin Franklin stamps are some of the most popular and rarest stamps available. If you are a collector, consider adding one or more Benjamin Franklin stamps to your collection. However, before buying 1-cent Franklin cards, do your research to determine the price of the stamp.
