Stamps have long fascinated collectors across the world. From hobbyists to serious philatelists, there’s an undeniable charm in hunting for historical postage with rich backstories and limited availability. Among all the prominent figures featured on U.S. postage, George Washington — the nation’s first president and an enduring symbol of American independence — remains one of the most sought-after subjects.
Washington’s legacy has been honored on U.S. stamps more than almost any other figure, making his image a common sight in collections. However, certain George Washington stamps are anything but common. Their rarity, historical context, design variations, and printing errors make them valuable treasures in the philatelic world. Some are worth hundreds, even thousands of dollars, depending on their condition and authenticity.
Let’s dive into the top five rarest George Washington stamps — the ones that make collectors’ hearts race and auctions buzz with excitement.
1. 1909 2¢ Washington “Orangeburg Coil”
Estimated Value: $10,000 – $30,000+
Issued: 1911
Rarity: Extremely rare, especially in mint condition
The Orangeburg Coil is one of the rarest and most valuable Washington stamps ever released. It was a 2-cent red stamp, printed as a coil (rolled) stamp, and distributed exclusively to the Bell Pharmaceutical Company in Orangeburg, New York.
Why was it so rare? These stamps were used on third-class mail — mostly discarded without a second thought. They were never meant for public sale, and only a handful survived in collectible condition.
The stamp features a profile of Washington and belongs to the Series of 1908-1922. If you find one in unused or mint condition, you could be looking at a value north of $30,000, though even heavily used versions can fetch thousands.
2. 1856 10¢ Green George Washington (Type I)
Estimated Value: $5,000 – $20,000+
Issued: 1855–1857
Rarity: Scarce due to design and printing anomalies
The 1856 10-cent Washington stamp, engraved in a striking green color, holds a unique place in American postal history. It belongs to a series where design types were classified by minute differences — Type I being the rarest due to limited print quantities.
Collectors prize this particular type for its beautifully engraved portrait and for being part of an era before postage stamps were mass-produced. Back then, every plate had unique flaws, and stamps were manually separated using scissors — making well-centered examples especially scarce.
Its value increases dramatically if the stamp still has its original gum or is unused, and it’s especially prized by classic U.S. collectors focusing on pre-Civil War era issues.
3. 1867 3¢ George Washington with “Z Grill”
Estimated Value: $100,000+
Issued: 1867
Rarity: One of the rarest stamps in the world
The “Z Grill” is the holy grail of U.S. stamp collecting. Although several figures were printed with this unique grilling pattern, the 1867 3¢ Washington “Z Grill” is one of the rarest stamps ever produced.
What makes it so special? The Z Grill was a patented embossing method designed to prevent stamp reuse. It left tiny square indentations (or “grills”) on the paper. Only a handful of Z Grill stamps exist today, with some held in private collections or museums.
If you ever encounter one — even in used condition — its value could soar to six figures. In fact, a similar stamp featuring Benjamin Franklin with the Z Grill sold for nearly $1 million in a trade.
4. 1863 24¢ Lilac George Washington (With Inverted Center)
Estimated Value: $15,000 – $100,000+
Issued: Civil War era
Rarity: Very rare due to printing error
The 24-cent lilac George Washington stamp from the 1861 series is rare enough on its own. But what makes certain versions extremely valuable is a spectacular error — the inverted center.
Printing technology in the 19th century involved multiple passes, and sometimes, errors occurred. In this case, Washington’s portrait was printed upside down, creating a classic “inverted center” stamp — one of the most desirable errors in philately.
If you happen to come across one of these in decent condition, you could be looking at a value well above $100,000, depending on centering, gum, and cancellation marks.
5. 1847 10¢ Black George Washington – First U.S. Stamp Issue
Estimated Value: $5,000 – $50,000+
Issued: July 1, 1847
Rarity: First issue; prized for historical importance
This was the first official U.S. postage stamp ever issued, alongside a 5¢ stamp featuring Benjamin Franklin. The 10¢ version, printed in black, features a profile of George Washington engraved in classic 19th-century style.
It was used primarily for long-distance mail — hence, fewer were produced and fewer still remain today. What gives this stamp immense value is not just rarity, but its historic role in launching American postal services.
Collectors prize this stamp for its crisp engraving, pre-Civil War origin, and being part of the birth of U.S. philately. Unused versions are especially rare, and high-grade examples can fetch upwards of $50,000 at auctions.
Why Are George Washington Stamps So Valuable?
Aside from George Washington’s unmatched place in American history, these stamps also draw value from:
- Limited production runs
- Historical events tied to the issue date
- Printing errors or design variants
- Condition (mint vs. used)
- Grill types or perforation differences
- Original gum and centering
Philatelists love stamps that offer more than just postal history — they seek the perfect blend of artistry, rarity, and backstory. Washington stamps check all those boxes, and their values are only expected to increase with time.
Disclaimer – Our editorial team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and eliminate any potential misinformation. We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity in our content.
