United Kingdom 1840 1d Penny Black

Name: United Kingdom 1840 1d Penny Black
Brand: United Kingdom

United Kingdom · 1840 · 1d

The Penny Black is the world's first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. It features a profile of Queen Victoria, based on a sketch made when she was 15, against a finely engraved black background. The design, by Henry Corbould, was chosen from submissions in a Treasury competition.

Issued on May 1, 1840, and valid for use from May 6, the Penny Black revolutionized communication by introducing a prepaid, standardized postage rate, making mail accessible to the general populace.

Printing Method

Engraved

Themes

royalty heads-of-state queen-victoria classic-stamps

Catalog Numbers

sg2

scott1

michel1

Image: · License:

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Estimated Values by Condition

Superb(S)

Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults

$1,200

Extremely Fine(XF)

Well centered, fresh colors

$800

Very Fine(VF)

Nicely centered, minor flaws

$450

Fine(F)

Average centering, acceptable

$250

Good(G)

Off-center or visible wear

$100

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