Record #00391Economy archive
Highest Auction Price for a Single Postage Stamp
The 1856 British Guiana One-Cent Magenta sold at Sotheby's New York on 17 June 2014 for approximately US$9.48 million, setting the highest public-auction price for a single postage stamp.
ARCHIVE VISUAL / 01
NOT TO SCALE
Current Record
about9,480,000USD
Current record value
- Location
- New York City, USA · New York State · United States
- Start date
- 2014-06-17
- Record status
- VerifiedView verification details ↗Report an issue
Overview
Archive NoteThe unique One-Cent Magenta was printed in black on magenta-colored paper in British Guiana in 1856 during a shortage of imported stamps. Only one example is known to survive.
The stamp changed hands repeatedly. Its 2014 Sotheby's result of US$9.48 million included buyer's premium. Stanley Gibbons bought it again in 2021 for approximately US$8.307 million including premium, below the 2014 peak.
Record history
1 Milestones- about 9,480,000 USDBritish Guiana One-Cent MagentaNew York City, USACurrent Record
Sources
Evidence & ReferencesVerification basis and limitations
VerifiedThe record conclusion has sufficient verification support.
Basis: direct confirmation by an authority
Sotheby's documents the 2014 US$9.48m sale. Stanley Gibbons' own 2021 announcement describes US$8.3m including buyer's premium (a more detailed report gives US$8.307m). Both are compared as premium-inclusive totals, not hammer prices.
- Verification assessment
- 2026-11-05
- Last editorial review
- 2026-11-05
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