United States 24c Curtiss JN-4 "Inverted Jenny" Airmail Stamp

Name: United States 24c Curtiss JN-4 "Inverted Jenny" Airmail Stamp
Brand: United States

United States · 1918 · 24c

This iconic stamp features a blue Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" biplane, intended for the first US airmail service. Due to a printing error, the central biplane vignette was printed upside-down relative to the red frame, creating one of the most famous and valuable errors in philately. The design was meant to celebrate the dawn of airmail postal delivery.

Issued in May 1918 to pay the rate for the first US airmail flights between Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City. The error was discovered almost immediately when a collector purchased a full sheet of 100 stamps, which was never broken up by the post office.

Printing Method

Engraved

Themes

airmail aviation biplane error

Catalog Numbers

scottC3a

Image: · License:

View on Wikimedia Commons

Estimated Values by Condition

Superb(S)

Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults

$2,000,000

Extremely Fine(XF)

Well centered, fresh colors

$1,500,000

Very Fine(VF)

Nicely centered, minor flaws

$1,000,000

Fine(F)

Average centering, acceptable

$500,000

Good(G)

Off-center or visible wear

$250,000

Prices are approximate market estimates for educational purposes. Actual values depend on specific factors including cancel type, margins, and provenance.