20 Christmas Stamps That Are Worth a Fortune
People have loved Christmas stamps for many years because of their fun designs. But for collectors, some stamps are worth much more than the price of a simple holiday card. Some stamps sell for a lot of money at auction, so getting a rare Christmas stamp can feel like having a piece of history wrapped in holiday cheer.
- Tricia Quitales
- 7 min read
Christmas stamps are very valuable to collectors, and their actual worth is often much higher than that. Not only are these stamps a fun way to send holiday cheer, but they are also valuable cultural and monetary items because they are rare and historical. Some Christmas-themed stamps have significantly increased value because they were printed in small numbers or because of mistakes. They are very sought after in the world of philately. We look at 20 Christmas stamps sold for astronomical amounts, showing a hidden world of valuable holiday memorabilia.
1. 1958 “Christmas Tree” Stamp (USA)
Lily Spandorf and modified by Norman Todhunter on Wikimedia
This famous stamp features a clear picture of a Christmas tree and is now one of the most sought-after stamps in the United States. Because it combines a unique mix of bright colors and complicated patterns, very few misprints were made, making it rare. These days, a single misprinted copy can fetch up to $500, depending on its quality.
2. 2005 “Winter Scenes” (Norway)
fietzfotos on Pixabay
Norway’s 2005 Christmas stamp series has five stamps featuring beautiful winter scenes. Because the stamps were only made in small numbers, mint examples are hard to find. Some stamp collectors have paid as much as $300 for a whole set of these beautiful, peaceful stamps.
3. 1915 “The Silent Night” Stamp (Austria)
Pixabay on Pexels
The Austrian “Silent Night” Christmas card from 1915, made to honor the 100th anniversary of the famous song, is a real piece of history. This stamp is very valuable because it is one of only 20,000 ever made and has a deep connection to European war history. Keeping it in good shape can fetch anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000 at sale.
4. 1966 “Christmas Poinsettia” Stamp (USA)
Kaboompics.com on Pexels
This American Christmas stamp with a bright poinsettia is very valuable because of its bright colors and the meaning of the holiday. Some stamps were printed with a darker shade due to a mistake in the printing process, making the issue more rare and valuable. These stamps can fetch more than $1,200 at sale, depending on their quality.
5. 1981 “Christmas Eve” Stamp (Great Britain)
ALINA MATVEYCHEVA on Pexels
There aren’t many of this British print, which shows a peaceful scene on Christmas Eve. Collectors want it very much because of this. Because so few copies were made, mint-condition copies have been known to fetch $600. It’s even more valuable because it’s historical: it’s the first modern Christmas stamp design in the UK.
6. 1929 “St. Nicholas” Stamp (Finland)
Townsend Walton on Pexels
The 1929 “St. Nicholas” stamp from Finland is a collector’s dream because it features a detailed picture of the holiday character. This stamp has a special place in the world of philately because it is hard to find and features beautiful images of Christmas in Europe. Usually, people pay more than $800 for it.
7. 1998 “Holiday Greetings” Stamp (Switzerland)
ALINA MATVEYCHEVA on Pexels
The 1998 issue is part of Switzerland’s ongoing holiday stamp series. It has a detailed picture of a winter town. Only 10,000 of this style were made, so it’s a scarce stamp still in mint condition. This piece is an integral part of Swiss holiday stamps; some fans have paid over $2,000 for it.
8. 1949 “Christmas Bells” Stamp (USA)
photostock PhotoBank on Pexels
The USPS released the “Christmas Bells” stamp in 1949. It is famous for its beautiful picture of traditional holiday bells. Because there aren’t many of them, their value has increased significantly. They have a special place in U.S. mail history. A well-maintained copy can be worth around $800; some error prints can fetch much more.
9. 1951 “Santa Claus” Stamp (Canada)
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Christmas stamp fans love the 1951 Canadian Santa Claus stamp because it shows Saint Nick in a warm and happy pose. Because it was only made in small numbers, it is now one of Canada’s most expensive holiday stamps. It could fetch up to $1,500 if it is in perfect shape, but this depends on how much people want it.
10. 1960 “Gifts of the Magi” Stamp (USA)
Jimmy Ramírez on Pexels
When the “Gifts of the Magi” Christmas stamp came out in 1960, it was the first time the U.S. Christmas series had a Christian theme. Only a few were made, featuring a beautiful drawing of the Three Wise Men. Because they are so rare, some copies, especially those with printing errors, can sell for over $1,200.
11. 2002 “Christmas Tree” Stamp (USA)
Melike Benli on Pexels
The 2002 “Christmas Tree” stamp from the United States is part of their ongoing Christmas stamp series. It features a beautiful picture of a decorated tree against a snowy background. However, some stamps were cut incorrectly because of a printing mistake, making them even rarer and more valuable. These miswritten copies can fetch as much as $500.
12. 1927 “Joy to the World” Stamp (USA)
Suhas Hanjar on Pexels
The “Joy to the World” stamp, released in 1927, is famous for its peaceful picture of a choir singing under the stars. This stamp is valuable because it was printed in tiny numbers and is historically significant as the first Christmas-themed U.S. postage stamp referencing a song. Today, it can be worth more than $1,000 if it’s in mint condition.
13. 1986 “Father Christmas” Stamp (Australia)
Elina Volkova on Pexels
This 1986 Australian Christmas stamp has a warm picture of Father Christmas with holiday symbols all around it. Collectors find it challenging to find because of its unique style and small print run. This stamp can fetch up to $700 on the market right now, depending on how good it is.
14. 1937 “The Madonna and Child” Stamp (Vatican City)
Ron Lach on Pexels
The Vatican’s 1937 “The Madonna and Child” stamp is a beautiful example of early Christian holiday art. Because it is rare and has a sacred theme, it is one of the most sought-after stamps for Vatican stamp collectors. Some have sold for $3,000 or more.
15. 1957 “Christmas Candle” Stamp (USA)
Pixabay on Pexels
The US Postal Service released the “Christmas Candle” stamp in 1957. It features a detailed image of a lit candle surrounded by holly. The stamp was only printed in small numbers, so it’s hard to find it in perfect shape. As a result, its value has gone through the roof. At auction, models in good shape are worth about $1,000.
16. 1930 “Christmas Greetings” Stamp (South Africa)
ALINA MATVEYCHEVA on Pexels
South Africa released this stamp in 1930. It features a simple but classy holiday message and a tree picture. It is a popular item among collectors of rare foreign stamps because it is hard to find and has a unique African design. Depending on its quality, this piece can fetch more than $1,200.
17. 1982 “Snowman” Stamp (United Kingdom)
Pixabay on Pexels
The British stamp from 1982 with the snowman is loved for its romantic and festive design, making it the perfect picture of a snowy Christmas. Because of a significant mistake in the printing process, only a few misprinted stamps were made available, making them even rarer and more valuable. These kinds can sell for $800 or more.
18. 1979 “Christmas Lights” Stamp (USA)
Bradikan Cars on Pexels
The U.S. “Christmas Lights” stamp from 1979 is famous for its bright picture of holiday lights shining on a snowy night. By mistake, a batch of stamps with colors that weren’t lined up right was sent out, which made fans want them even more. At this point, these mistakes are worth more than $1,000.
19. 1996 “Christmas Ornaments” Stamp (USA)
Kevin Bidwell on Pexels
This 1996 stamp shows bright ornaments hanging from a tree. Its delicate, detailed designs make it popular with collectors worldwide. The design was only printed in small numbers; some forms are more challenging to find because of color mistakes. A mistake like this can fetch $600 or more.
20. 1952 “Christmas Madonna” Stamp (Sweden)
United States Postal Service & Giovanni Battista Tiepolo on Wikimedia
The 1952 “Christmas Madonna” stamp, which shows the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child, is still one of Sweden’s most sought-after holiday stamps. Because it is so rare and has historical value in the Swedish tradition of Christmas stamps, it will always be a prize. Brand-new ones have been known to fetch as much as $1,800 at auction.