How to Identify and Appraise Penny Black Stamps

The Penny Black was the world’ first adhesive/prepaid stamp; it was produced by the United Kingdom in 1840. The price of the Penny Black was one penny and this was written on the face of the postage stamp. A lot of Penny Black stamps were printed and used for about one year in the UK.

Some of the earlier stamps are considered rare by collectors. Because this was the first adhesive stamps used they are widely collected by individuals interested in world philately. Use these steps to help you identify and appraise Penny Black stamps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look for black colored United Kingdom stamps. The “Penny Black” was printed in a black background. Later on the UK produced the Penny Red stamps to replace the old Penny Black. These stamps don't have the name of the country printed.

2. Identify the British monarch head on the black stamp. The first Penny Black stamp displayed the head of Queen Victoria in 1840 and some in 1841. Another monarch, King George V was portrayed in the later Penny Red stamps.

3. 
   Canceled Penny Black

   Find the red ink on canceled Penny Black stamps. Red ink was used by the postal office to cancel stamps indicating a stamp has been used. However, this ink was easily removed and can be hard to spot on old canceled stamps. The red ink was also hard to see on the black background of the Penny Black.

4. Look for additional unique features on the Penny Black. There are two symbols that look like stars printed on each corner on top of the stamp. The words “Postage” on top and “One Penny” at the bottom are written in capital letters.

5. 

   Use stamp collecting resources to appraise Penny Black postage. Locate stamp dealers, auctions, philately associations, Penny Black catalogs and collector groups. These sources buy, sell and trade Penny Black stamps and can provide recent market values for your collectible stamps. Find dealers and collectors online and at stamp trade shows.