Canadian stamp issued over 170 years ago sold for close to $300K

Canadian stamp issued over 170 years ago sold for close to $300K

In 1851, a 12-pence stamp became worth $300,000 more than 170 years later.

On the 21st, a 170-year-old stamp was sold for $292,500 at an auction in Ottawa. Called 12-Penny Black, the stamp became the star of the auction hosted by Sparks Auctions.

The stamp was printed in 1851 and features a portrait of Queen Victoria. The original gum that was enclosed for the stamp was auctioned together, and it was said to have been kept very clean. In addition, 1,450 stamps were sold, and only 17 of them were preserved with original mint gum. Gum is a substance that sticks to the back of a stamp and helps it stick to an envelope.

Stamp auction house Brixton-Chrome said the reason why stamps were able to be sold at high prices was because "it was issued before 1900 and gum was well preserved in clean condition." It is very rare for stamps and gum to be kept clean together.

The identity of the buyer has not been disclosed. There are two 12 penny black so far. The two have been traded in pairs for a long time, and this time the other one is owned by the same person. The same person won the stamp for $327,000 in 2017.

Even regular coins in your wallet can someday be traded at high prices at auction, so keep them safe.

(Photo = sparks-actions website)