12 Postage Stamps That Are Worth a Small Fortune

Stamp collecting has been a popular hobby since the 1850s. Because of this, you’ll find stacks of stamps in stellar condition at estate sales, in thrift shops, and elsewhere. This is great, because the best side hustles involve digging around your existing inventory—or a nearby thrift shop—for valuable items to resell.

Keep your eyes peeled for the following stamps that could be worth a small fortune.

As the first U.S. postmaker general, Benjamin Franklin is featured on many stamps, with the most sought-after being the Z-Grill. This embossed pattern was rarely used, so the value is sky-high.

This one-cent stamp was issued in 1868, and there are only two around. In 2005, a stamp trade was issued for one of them worth $3 million, and a copy recently went for $4.4 million. Other letter grill stamps are available on eBay for a little less.

eBay Listing: US Scott 92 Used 1 cents "F" Grill Blue Franklin 1868 Lot T891, $492.80

This 2001 stamp features a flattering still of Audrey Hepburn’s character from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” She is wearing a wide-brimmed hat and has a cigarette holder hanging from her mouth.

Since her family asked that the German stamp be removed from rotation, there aren’t many copies. In 2021, one of these stamps was auctioned for $176,000. There are no original versions listed on eBay, but a pre-used reproduction is currently available for $160.

Known as the world’s rarest stamp, the magenta British Guiana one-cent stamp is only known to have one copy in existence. This item was part of a short run in 1856 to fill in the gap of stamp deliveries from England to South America for the British Colony.

This stamp is in the shape of an octagon because of how it was cut from the sheet. It’s currently kept in a vault in Philadelphia.

The Chinese Red Revenue One Dollar Small stamp was printed in 1897, and is one of the most valuable stamps in the world. The text on these stamps is considered illegible, so they were taken out of rotation to improve the print.

Around 30 of these stamps are known to still exist. The most expensive to have sold on its own went for $970,000 in Hong Kong in 2013.

Dr. Sun Yat Sen was a Chinese revolutionary who became the first President of the Republic of China. In 1941, an error was made in printing the $2 stamp with his face on it and one 50-stamp sheet printed his head upside down.

It’s believed that only two pairs exist. In 2018, one pair of these stamps sold at an auction in Hong Kong for $707,000. While it’s unlikely you’ll find one, reproductions on eBay do exist.

The Inverted Jenny is a famous misprint stamp from 1918 that features the Jenny plane—or the Curtiss JN-4, used to carry mail across the United States—upside down. Only one sheet of 100 stamps was printed and sold before the error was noted and corrected.

Mystic Stamp Company has one listed for $280,000. In 2023, a 73-year old New York man purchased one of these rare stamps in near mint condition for $2 million.

There are many red George Washington stamps printed at the beginning of the 20th century that will go for a pretty penny nowadays. Experts believe just five pairs of these carmine red 1908 stamps still exist.

In 2021, one pair of originals and two covers were sold at auction for an incredible $1,475,000. Uncertified replicas can also be sold on eBay for a chunk of change.

Canada’s most rare stamp is the 1851 12d Black Empress, which depicts a beautiful woman looking off to the side, drenched in jewels. This stamp allowed people to send mail to Newfoundland, America, or the British West Indies.

51,000 were printed, and less than 150 are still around. The stamp is worth an estimated $547,464 adjusted for inflation since its $425,000 sale in 2011.

Like baseball cards, you often need a collection or a really old well-preserved stamp to make any significant money.

Besides stamps, there are lots of other collector items that can help you earn extra income outside of work with a little bit of research and a good eye.