Two Penny Blue

The Two Penny Blue, sometimes known as the Two Pence Blue, was the world's second official postal stamp, issued after the Penny Black in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

The first printing began on May 1, 1840, and 6,460,000 copies were made from two plates until August 29. The stamps were officially valid for postage on May 6th, however they were only accessible on May 8th. On May 6, 1840, it was initially offered to the general public at the London Inland Revenue Office. The design is identical to the penny black except for the denomination, and it was struck from the same die. The 2d blue was supposed to be released at the same time as the 1d black, and the oldest postmark seen on one of these is from May 6, 1840. Plates 1 and 2 were used to produce the initial issues of this value (designed for double rate letters). In 1843, the printing plates were destroyed. Copies of the stamp are now much rarer and more expensive than Penny Black copies.

Two Penny Blue was purchased in 1992 for 1.6 million Swiss Francs ($1.77 million today). For over 20 years, it was the highest sum ever paid for a British Commonwealth stamp.

Price: $1.4 million