rarepre-1900

United States #1, 5c Benjamin Franklin

Name: United States #1, 5c Benjamin Franklin
Brand: United States

United States · 1847 · 5c

This is the first postage stamp ever issued by the United States federal government. The design features a portrait of Benjamin Franklin, the nation's first Postmaster General, based on a drawing by James B. Longacre. The stamp is imperforate, meaning it had to be cut from the sheet with scissors.

Issued in 1847, this stamp marks the beginning of the federal postal system in the United States, standardizing rates and prepayment of postage across the country.

Printing Method

Engraved

Themes

famous-people politicians statesmen founding-fathers

Catalog Numbers

scott1

Image: · License:

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Estimated Values by Condition

Superb(S)

Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults

$15,000

Extremely Fine(XF)

Well centered, fresh colors

$8,000

Very Fine(VF)

Nicely centered, minor flaws

$4,000

Fine(F)

Average centering, acceptable

$1,500

Good(G)

Off-center or visible wear

$500

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