Famous stamps
George Washington and Benjamin Franklin Stamp Values: What Yours Is Worth
Updated · 5 min read · By the StampGo team
Quick answer
Most George Washington and Benjamin Franklin stamps are worth a few cents to a few dollars, because they were everyday US stamps printed in the billions. Some are worth hundreds or more: 19th-century issues, and scarce varieties of the 1908–1922 Washington-Franklin series, which differ only in perforation, watermark and printing method. StampGo identifies the issue from a photo.
Key facts
- Why they're everywhere
- Washington and Franklin have appeared on US stamps since the first issue in 1847
- The tricky series
- Washington-Franklin Heads (1908–1922): about 250 different stamps
- What separates varieties
- Perforation gauge, watermark, flat-plate vs. rotary-press printing, and paper
- Everyday low values
- 1¢ green and 2¢ red, printed in the billions
- Most valuable
- Scarce perforation and watermark combinations, coils, errors, and early issues
- Tools needed
- Perforation gauge, watermark tray, millimeter ruler
How much is a George Washington stamp worth?
Most George Washington stamps are worth a few cents to a dollar. Washington appeared on the most common US stamps for over a century, so the value depends on the exact issue, variety and condition, not the portrait.
| Stamp | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Common 20th-century Washington stamps (1¢–3¢), used | A few cents |
| Washington-Franklin Heads (1908–1922), common varieties | Cents to a few dollars |
| Washington-Franklin Heads, scarce perforation or watermark varieties | Tens to hundreds of dollars, sometimes more |
| 19th-century Washington issues (1847–1890s) | Dollars to thousands, depending on the issue and condition |
| The 1932 Washington Bicentennial set | Mostly common |
The red 2¢ Washington, the letter-rate stamp for decades, is the classic example. Billions were used, so most are worth a few cents, but certain varieties printed on the wrong paper, perforated differently or from a different press are worth far more.
How much is a Benjamin Franklin stamp worth?
Most Franklin stamps are common too, but early Franklin issues can be valuable. The 1847 5¢ Franklin was one of the first two US stamps, and the 1¢ Franklins of the 1850s–60s are worth checking.
Franklin, the first Postmaster General, has appeared on US stamps since 1847. The 1¢ blue Franklin of 1851–1861 comes in several types that specialists separate by tiny design differences, and the 1861–1866 1¢ Franklin in StampGo's own screenshots carries a $15–$75 reference range. In the Washington-Franklin series, Franklin appears on the 1908 1¢ and, from 1912, on the higher values.
The rarest of all is the 1868 1¢ Franklin “Z Grill”, with only two known. It's one of the most valuable US stamps. See US stamp values.
Why is the Washington-Franklin series so hard to identify?
About 250 different stamps share a handful of designs. They were printed between 1908 and 1922 with different perforations, watermarks, papers and presses, and some combinations are far scarcer than others.
- Perforation gauge: perf 12, 10, 8½ or compound gauges such as 12 × 10, plus imperforate and coil stamps.
- Watermark: a double-line “USPS”, a single-line “USPS”, or none.
- Printing method: flat-plate and rotary-press stamps of the same design differ slightly in size.
- Paper: most were printed on ordinary paper, but some were printed on bluish or other unusual papers.
How do I identify my Washington or Franklin stamp?
Start with the denomination, color and design to find the issue, then measure the perforation gauge, check the watermark and measure the size to pin down the exact variety.
A photo gets you to the issue. For Washington-Franklins, the rest needs a perforation gauge, a watermark tray and a millimeter ruler. Our guide to how to identify stamps explains each tool.
Are 1 cent and 2 cent Washington stamps worth anything?
Usually only a few cents, because they were printed in the billions to pay everyday postage. The exceptions are scarce varieties and unused, well-centered copies of early issues.
Condition matters a lot for the better varieties, so check centering and gum before you compare prices. See stamp condition grades.
What's the difference between flat-plate and rotary-press stamps?
They're the same designs printed on different presses. Rotary-press stamps were printed from curved plates, which stretched the image slightly, so they're a fraction of a millimeter taller or wider than flat-plate stamps of the same design.
Rotary presses were first used for coil stamps in the mid-1910s and later for sheet stamps. To tell the two apart, measure the printed design with a millimeter ruler and compare it with a catalogue's dimensions. Many rotary-press stamps from the 1920s onward also show faint ridges on the back from gum breakers, which were used to stop the sheets curling.
It matters because some Washington-Franklin values are common in one printing and scarce in the other, even with the same perforation and watermark. That's why careful collectors check all three: perforation, watermark and press.
Step by step
How to check a Washington or Franklin stamp with StampGo
StampGo narrows down which Washington or Franklin issue you have from a photo, so you know whether it's worth getting out the perforation gauge.
- 1
Scan the stamp
Tap Scan Now and photograph the stamp flat, with all four edges visible.
- 2
See the issue and price range
StampGo names the issue, such as the “1-Cent Benjamin Franklin, 1857 Perforated Issue”, with its year and a reference price.
- 3
Check varieties if it's promising
If the rarity score or price range is high, measure the perforations and check the watermark to pin down the exact variety.
- 4
Save it to your collection
Add it to your collection. The app's screenshots show a 1¢ George Washington at $0.25–$2.00, which is typical for a common issue.
Free to download on iOS and Android
Frequently asked questions
What is a red George Washington stamp worth?
Most red 2¢ Washington stamps from 1890 to 1930 are worth a few cents used. Some varieties of the 1908–1922 series, identified by perforation and watermark, are worth much more.
What is the most valuable Benjamin Franklin stamp?
The 1868 1¢ Franklin Z Grill, of which only two are known, is one of the most valuable US stamps.
What is the most valuable George Washington stamp?
Rare early Washington issues and scarce Washington-Franklin varieties, such as certain coils and perforation varieties, command the highest prices. The exact variety and condition decide the value.
Do I need a perforation gauge for Washington-Franklin stamps?
Yes, for anything beyond the first identification. Perforation, watermark and printing method are what separate a common Washington-Franklin from a scarce one.
Why are there so many Washington-Franklin varieties?
Over the series' 14 years, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing changed papers, watermarks, perforating machines and presses as it modernized. Each change created new varieties of the same designs.
