Inverted jenny rare

Discover the Inverted Jenny, one of the world's most famous stamp errors, valued at millions of dollars.

About this subject

The Inverted Jenny is a postage stamp issued by the United States in 1918, famous for a printing error: the image of the Curtis JN-4 'Jenny' airplane was printed upside down. The stamp was part of a series commemorating the airmail service, and the print run included a sheet of 100 stamps with the inverted airplane. This error occurred because the printing plate was mounted incorrectly, resulting in a 180-degree rotation of the central image.

The full sheet was discovered by collector William T. Robey on May 14, 1918, in Washington, D.C. Robey paid the face value of 24 cents per stamp, totaling $24 for the sheet. Immediately after the discovery, the error became known, and the Postal Service attempted to recover the stamps, but Robey sold them for $15,000. Since then, the Inverted Jenny has become an icon of philately, with each stamp worth hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction.

Today, fewer than 100 examples are known to exist, and the original sheet was broken up over time. In 2023, a block of four Inverted Jenny stamps sold for over $4 million. The stamp has also inspired replicas and tributes, such as commemorative issues by the US Postal Service in 2013. The Inverted Jenny symbolizes the rarity and fascination of stamp errors, attracting collectors and investors worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current value of an Inverted Jenny stamp?

A single Inverted Jenny stamp in good condition can be worth between $150,000 and $300,000. Blocks of four stamps or certified pieces can exceed $1 million at auction.

How many Inverted Jenny stamps exist?

Fewer than 100 examples of the Inverted Jenny are believed to exist. The original sheet had 100 stamps, but many have been damaged or lost over time.

How to identify a genuine Inverted Jenny stamp?

The genuine stamp has the Jenny airplane inverted, a face value of 24 cents, and perforation 11. Authenticity is verified by philatelic experts and certificates of authenticity.