In this article, we invite you to discover the history of the One cent magenta, the most expensive stamp in the world. This British Guinea stamp was purchased for the fourth time in 2014, again breaking the sales record with its value of over 7 million euros!
The origins of One hundred magenta
The stamp shows a tall ship in its center. At the top and at the bottom, it is written « British Guiana », his country of origin, and on the left « postage », ie post in French. Also on the right is the face value “ONE CENT”. Above and below the boat there is a quote in Latin: « DamusPetimus Que Vicissim », which means « We give and wait in return ».
The stamp was issued in 1856 in British Guiana. As often in the history of rare stamps, this stamp was issued because of a poor supply from the metropolis. Indeed, the seals of 1 cent and 4 cents expected not having arrived, a shortage was triggered which forced the local authorities to manufacture and issue provisional. Thus was born the One hundred magenta.
A unique copy always sold at a higher price
There is only one copy of the One hundred magenta. Legend has it that a 12-year-old Scottish schoolboy discovered this 1856 stamp in 1873. It was allegedly sold for a few schillings. Subsequently, he would not have been seen publicly since 1987.
During its history, it has changed owners eight times and has been auctioned four times, each time breaking a world record. Its last acquisition dates back to 1980: John du Pont, heir to the chemical company of the same name, then acquired it for $ 935,000. A small fortune at the time.
The current value of One hundred magenta
It was acquired for the last time in 2014. So far the most expensive stamp has been the Swedish « yellow treskilling », sold at an auction in 2010 for an undisclosed amount, but which is believed to be around $ 2 million. ‘euros. But since 2014, it is indeed the One hundred magenta that has become the most expensive stamp in the world, sold for more than 7 million euros. Europe 1 spoke of it as the « Mona Lisa of stamps », insisting on the ratio between the small size and the small weight of the object compared to its dizzying value!
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