Silver $32.63 Gold $3336.00 Platinum $995.00 Palladium $959.00 Copper $0.29
logo
close

1856 1¢ British Guiana Scott #13 magenta)

View Pricing
The unique British Guiana 1856 One-Cent, Black on Magenta Surface-Colored Paper (Stanley Gibbons no.23, Scott no.13). The British Guiana 1c magenta is regarded by many philatelists as the world's most famous stamp. It was issued in limited numbers in British Guiana (now Guyana) in 1856, and only one specimen is now known to exist.

It is imperforate, printed in black on magenta paper, and features a sailing ship along with the colony's Latin motto "Damus Petimus Que Vicissim" (We give and expect in return) in the middle. Four thin lines frame the ship. The stamp's country of issue and value in small black upper case lettering in turn surround the frame.

Initialled EDW, cut octagonally clear of design, April 4 1856 DEMERARA circular datestamp.  The Certificate issued by the Royal Philatelic Society in March 2014 records that the stamp is genuine and notes “surface rubbing reduced by over-painting at some time in the past – possibly while the stamp resided in the Ferrari collection.”

The unique example, unpriced in Gibbons and Scott.

29 x 26 mm (1 5/32 x 1 1/32 in.)

expertization:
The stamp is accompanied by two "Genuine" certificates issued by the Expert Committee of the Royal Philatelic Society, London: Certificate No. 18,796 (17 October 1935), signed by Thomas William Hall, and Certificate No. 217,796 (17 March 2014), signed by Christopher Harman.

The stamp was also examined by Thomas Lera, the Winton S. Blount Research Chair of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, on 17 April 2014, and several photographs taken by Mr. Lera are reproduced in the catalogue.

provenance:
Andrew Hunter (1856–1873), original recipient of the mailed stamp;
Louis Vernon Vaughan (1873);
Neil Ross McKinnon (1873–1878);
Thomas Ridpath (1878);
Philipp de la Rénotière von Ferrary (1878–1920; purple trefoil on reverse);
Government of France (1920–1922);
Arthur M. Hind (1922–1933; manuscript “H” on reverse; cloverleaf "AH" handstamp on reverse);
Ann Hind Scala (1933–1940; perhaps a seventeen-point star handstamp on reverse used to obscure the cloverleaf of her husband);
Frederick Trouton Small (1940–1970; comet handstamp on reverse; also initialed in pencil “FK” by his agent Finbar Kenny);
Irwin Weinberg and Associates (1970–1980; pencil “IW” on reverse);
John E. du Pont (1980–2014; pencil “JEdP” on reverse)
662012
Viewed: May 09, 2025
Updated: Feb 22, 2025
Priced: Dec 30, 2023

BUY

close
Looking to buy one of these? We recommend Soldster.com, the world's fastest growing collectibles marketplace.
GO

SELL

close
Got one of these for sale? Sell today to an A+ accredited professional buyer.
GO

Check your email

close
IMPORTANT CHECK! We just sent you an email with a confirmation number. Check your email now and input that number below. If you did not receive the email, check your JUNK or SPAM folder.

Verify it's you

Type the numbers into the boxes below
Wrong verification code.

aod We sent you a text

close
IMPORTANT CHECK! We just sent you a text message. It has your confirmation number. Input that number in the boxes below. If you did not receive the text, click the RESEND button when it appears.

Verify it's you

Type the numbers into the boxes below
Wrong verification code.

The email has already been registered

It seems you are already registered with iGuide. This email is already in our members database.

Working...

EDIT PRICES


save

No Buyers

This item is not wanted at the present time. New buyers coming soon.

Just to Confirm...

You have the exact item described on this page, right? It may not be in the same condition or completeness but basically you have this exact item. Is this correct?

What is your email?

All initial contact is by email.

Your Name and Zip Code

We only buy from USA sellers.

(optional) What is your phone?

All initial contact is by email. Phone is optional.

Success!

Check your inbox and press the CONFIRM button. If no message is in your inbox, check your junk or spam folder. If still no luck, let us know by sending an email to leads@2ndmarkets.com

This item has significant value but prices vary widely by condition and other factors.

Pro Tip: Consider an iGuide Appraisal for your specific item.

Learn about iGuide Appraisals

Looking For Current Pricing?

Get true pricing from real human experts, not AI. Invest 60 seconds of your time. We'll respond right away with up-to-date pricing.

How It Works

Just to Confirm...

You have the exact item described on this page, right? It may not be in the same condition or completeness but basically you have this exact item. Is this correct?

What is your email?

All initial contact is by email.

Describe the condition it's in.

Is it like new? Used? Missing parts? Tell it like it is.

Describe Any Specifics

Tell us anything you know. Where it came from. How old it is. Who made it. Any text, labels, or markings.

Your Name and Zip Code

We only buy from USA sellers.

(optional) What is your phone?

All initial contact is by email. Phone is optional.

Got Photos?

We need lots of good, clear photos for the appraisal, and you can upload up to 10 images.

OR
    I will upload images later

    Review

    If everything looks right, press the Send button

    You have: 1856 1¢ British Guiana Scott #13 magenta)

    Email Address:

    Name:

    Zip Or Postal Code:

    Phone Number:

    Is Your Mobile Phone:

    Describe The Condition:

    Describe Any Specifics:

    Success!

    WATCH your email inbox. We will notify you when your appraisal report is ready. Be sure you've added admin@iguide.net to your contacts or approved list.

    What would you like to do?

    How can I help?

    Welcome to iGuide! Please tell us what brought you here and how we can help you reach your goal.

    Would you like a reply?

    If you'd like a reply please give your email below. We do not save nor sell your email. Read our Privacy Policy

    No Thanks

    Thank you!

    If you requested a reply someone will be responding right away. Check your inbox. Also check your spam or junk folder just in case our response was miscategorized by your spam filter.

    The iGuide team

    Price History

    True Prices What's This?   

    0
    High
    0
    Median
    0
    Low
    Year Sold Grade Price
    No Data!

    Sell One Like This

    Got one of these for sale? SELL IT NOW!

    GO

    Buy One Like This

    Looking for this? Find it on Soldster, America's fastest growing marketplace.

    GO

    What would you like to do?

    Learn About Appraisals
    Learn Where To Buy

    Confirm

    1856 1¢ British Guiana Scott #13 magenta)
    You have this exact item, right?

    What condition is it in?

    Press the best button