First stamp

Who or what was on the first US postage stamp? How much did it cost? What is it worth today?

The first stamp as we know them today, was a five cent stamp with Benjamin Franklin on it in 1847. A nice used copy would probably be available anywhere in the $100-200. range.

This done without checking, though. You might try searching something like ebay . Use Scott #1 as your reference.

An Act of Congress on March 3, 1847 allowed the Postmaster General to create postage stamps to help facilitate the rapid delivery of mail. The first 2 stamps were simultaneously issued on July 1, 1847. One was a portrait of Benjamin Franklin, the first Postmaster General of the US and founder of the American postal service. It was a 5 cent, red brown stamp. The other was a portrait of George Washington. It was a 10 cent, black stamp.

I’m not a die-hard stamp collector, so I double-checked some internet sites for verification. It seems that some people mistake the 1847 Washington for the 1851 Washington. In 1847, Washington faces the right, in 1851, the left.