Timbres célèbres
Penny Black : ce que vaut aujourd'hui le premier timbre du monde
Mis à jour le · 6 min de lecture · Par l’équipe StampGo
Réponse rapide
Un Penny Black oblitéré se vend généralement de quelques dizaines à quelques centaines de dollars, selon le nombre de ses quatre marges intactes, la planche qui l'a imprimé et son oblitération. Les exemplaires neufs coûtent plusieurs milliers. Environ 68 millions ont été imprimés à partir de 11 planches en 1840–41 : il est donc célèbre, mais pas rare. La planche 11 et les exemplaires neufs sont les plus rares.
L’essentiel
- Émis le
- En vente le 1er mai 1840, valable pour l'affranchissement à partir du 6 mai 1840
- Tirage
- Environ 68 millions, à partir de 11 planches, en feuilles de 240
- Imprimeur
- Perkins, Bacon & Petch, Londres
- Dessin
- Le profil de la reine Victoria, gravé d'après la City Medal de William Wyon (1837)
- Valeur oblitéré
- De quelques dizaines à quelques centaines de dollars, selon marges et oblitération
- Les plus rares
- La planche 11, les exemplaires neufs et les multiples comme paires et blocs
How much is a Penny Black worth?
A used Penny Black typically sells for tens to a few hundred dollars, depending mostly on its margins, plate and cancellation. Unused examples cost thousands, and rare plates and multiples cost more.
| Condition | Typical value range |
|---|---|
| Used, cut into the design on one or more sides | Tens of dollars |
| Used, three clear margins | Roughly $50–$150 |
| Used, four clear margins and a neat cancel | Roughly $150–$500+ |
| Unused (mint) | Thousands of dollars |
| Plate 11, pairs, blocks, or on the original letter | Considerably more |
Why do the margins matter so much?
Penny Blacks were imperforate and cut from the sheet with scissors, so many were trimmed into the design. A copy with four clear margins is much scarcer, and worth several times more, than one cut close.
Britain didn't introduce perforations until the 1850s. Clerks and customers cut stamps apart by hand, and the gaps between stamps on the sheet were narrow. Collectors describe Penny Blacks by how many margins are intact, from four margins down, and wide, even margins command a premium. See stamp condition grades.
What do the letters in the corners of a Penny Black mean?
The check letters in the two bottom corners show the stamp's position on the sheet of 240. The left letter is the row (A–T) and the right letter the column (A–L). They were added to deter forgery.
Sheets had 20 rows of 12 stamps, so positions run from AA to TL. Specialists use the check letters, together with tiny differences between plates, to work out which of the 11 plates printed a stamp. Early plates such as 1a, 1b and 2 are among the most common. Plate 11 is by far the scarcest, because it printed black stamps only briefly before the switch to red.
Does the cancellation affect a Penny Black's value?
Yes. Penny Blacks were cancelled with a Maltese cross, usually in red. A neat, clear cross adds value, black crosses are scarcer on Penny Blacks, and unusual colors or numbered crosses carry a premium.
The red cancelling ink could be cleaned off and the stamps reused, so in February 1841 the Post Office switched to red stamps, the Penny Red, cancelled in black. Maltese crosses in other colors, and London crosses with a number in the center (used in 1843–44), are sought after by specialists. See UK stamp values for the Penny Reds that followed.
How can I tell if my Penny Black is real?
A genuine Penny Black is imperforate, printed in black from an engraved plate, has letters in the two bottom corners only, and has a small crown watermark. Reproductions are common, often perforated or on modern paper.
- No perforations. A perforated “Penny Black” is a reproduction.
- Letters only in the bottom corners. Stamps with letters in all four corners are later issues, such as later Penny Reds.
- A small crown watermark, visible in a watermark tray.
- Fine engraved lines. Under a magnifier, genuine stamps show crisp engraving, while printed replicas look flat or dotted.
- Shade. Genuine stamps range from grey-black to intense black.
If a stamp passes these checks and has good margins or an unusual cancel, get an expert opinion. The Royal Philatelic Society London and BPA Expertising both issue certificates for British classics.
What's the difference between a Penny Black and a Penny Red?
The Penny Red replaced the Penny Black in February 1841 and was printed in red-brown so that black cancellations would show clearly. It's far more common: billions were printed, and it stayed in use for nearly 40 years.
- Color: black (1840–41) versus red-brown or red (1841–1879).
- Perforations: early Penny Reds were imperforate like the Black. Perforated versions followed from 1854.
- Corner letters: Penny Blacks have letters in the bottom corners only. Penny Reds from 1858 have letters in all four corners.
- Plate numbers: Penny Reds from 1864 show a plate number in the side frame, which is how scarce plates such as plate 77 are identified.
Most Penny Reds sell for small sums, but plate and condition matter just as they do for the Black. See UK stamp values.
Étape par étape
How to value a Penny Black with StampGo
StampGo confirms the issue and gives a reference range. The checklist above then tells you where your copy falls within it.
- 1
Scan the stamp
Photograph the Penny Black flat and square with Scan Now, so all four edges are visible.
- 2
Confirm the issue and price range
Check that StampGo identifies it as the 1840 1d black, and note the reference price range and rarity score.
- 3
Count the margins and check the cancel
Four clear margins and a neat Maltese cross put your copy toward the top of the range. Cut-into margins put it toward the bottom.
- 4
Save it to your collection
Add it, so it shows in your collection with its estimate.
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Questions fréquentes
Combien vaut un Penny Black aujourd'hui ?
De quelques dizaines à quelques centaines de dollars pour un exemplaire oblitéré, selon ses marges, sa planche et son oblitération, et plusieurs milliers pour un neuf. L'état explique la quasi-totalité de l'écart.
Combien de Penny Black subsistent ?
Environ 68 millions ont été imprimés. Personne ne sait exactement combien ont survécu, mais les exemplaires oblitérés sont assez nombreux pour que la plupart se vendent des sommes modestes.
Quel est le Penny Black le plus rare ?
Ceux de la planche 11 sont les plus rares, car cette planche n'a imprimé des timbres noirs que brièvement. Les blocs neufs et le timbre officiel « VR » de 1840, préparé mais jamais mis en service général, le sont plus encore.
Un Penny Black vaut-il plus sur son enveloppe ?
Souvent, oui. Un Penny Black sur sa lettre d'origine, surtout avec une date lisible, peut valoir plus que le timbre seul. Ne le décollez pas.
Qui a dessiné le Penny Black ?
Il est né des réformes postales de Rowland Hill. Le portrait de la reine Victoria a été gravé par Charles et Frederick Heath d'après un dessin d'Henry Corbould, lui-même inspiré de la City Medal de William Wyon de 1837.
