Inverted jenny rare

The 1918 Inverted Jenny stamp is one of the world's most famous philatelic errors, featuring an upside-down Curtiss JN-4 airplane.

About this subject

The Inverted Jenny stamp, officially known as the 24¢ Curtiss Jenny Invert, was issued by the United States on May 10, 1918 to commemorate the first airmail service. It depicts the Curtiss JN-4 biplane called Jenny, but a printing error on a single sheet of 100 stamps left the aircraft upside down. This happened when the sheet was fed through the press twice, inverting the central vignette. Only 100 copies exist today, with 96 known to be in collections, making it one of the most sought-after stamps in philately.

The Inverted Jenny's value is staggering: in 2021, one example sold for $1.35 million at auction. Its rarity and story have turned it into a cultural icon, appearing in films, TV shows, and even a 2013 USPS commemorative release. The error was discovered by collector William T. Robey, who bought the sheet at a post office and later sold it for $15,000, a huge sum at the time.

Interestingly, in 2018 the USPS issued a new Inverted Jenny intentionally printed upside down as a tribute, sparking debate among purists. The original stamp remains a symbol of postal history and philatelic treasure hunting. Each copy is numbered and its provenance tracked, with some housed in museums like the Smithsonian. The hunt for possible surviving sheets never ends, fueling legends of more lost copies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Inverted Jenny stamps exist today?

Out of the original sheet of 100 from 1918, 96 copies are known and cataloged. The remaining four have never been located and are presumed destroyed or lost.

Why is the Inverted Jenny so valuable?

Its extreme rarity, combined with the iconic printing error and the history of the first U.S. airmail, makes it a high-value collectible. The record auction price was $1.35 million in 2021.

How was the error discovered?

Collector William T. Robey bought the sheet at a post office in Washington D.C., noticed the error, and swiftly purchased all available stamps. He sold the sheet for $15,000 to a stamp dealer.