Everyday US stamps
2¢ Thomas Jefferson stamp value
Which 2¢ Jefferson do you have?
| Scott | Format | Issued | How to tell |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1033 | Sheet stamp, perf 11 x 10½, dry printing, untagged | Sept. 15, 1954 | Perforated on all four sides |
| 1033a | Sheet stamp on Silkote paper | Dec. 1954 | Very white, smooth paper; needs expert confirmation |
| 1055 | Coil, perf 10 vertically, wet printing, large holes | Oct. 22, 1954 | Straight edges on two sides |
| 1055a | Coil, dry printing, large holes | May 1957 | Whiter paper, more sheen than 1055 |
| 1055b | Coil, dry printing, small holes, tagged, shiny gum | May 6, 1968 | The only tagged version |
| 1055c, 1055d | Imperforate coil pairs | — | No perforations between the stamps |
The one to check for
Silkote paper (Scott 1033a)
The United States Stamp Society describes Silkote as "a special paper, very white and smooth, used experimentally by the BEP to produce a small number of the 2¢ Jefferson sheet stamps." It is listed as Scott 1033a, dated December 1954. Telling it apart by eye is hard, because ordinary dry-printed stamps also have whiter paper and more sheen than wet-printed ones. If a sheet stamp looks unusually bright and smooth next to others, set it aside for an expert opinion rather than pricing it yourself.
What your 2¢ Jefferson is most likely worth
Around face value. The American Philatelic Society says most US stamps issued since 1940 sell "at or around their original face value." Mystic Stamp Company lists Scott 1033 at 35 cents retail; used copies from mixed lots sell for much less.
Wet and dry printing
The Liberty series straddled a change at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Wet printing used paper dampened to 15–35% moisture; dry printing used paper at 5–10%. Mystic notes that "dry-printed stamps have whiter paper and higher surface sheen."
The 2¢ sheet stamp (1033) was a dry printing only. The coil started as a wet printing (1055) in 1954 and switched to dry printing (1055a) in 1957.
Coil varieties
- Large holes vs. small holes. The earlier coils have large perforation holes; the 1968 printing (1055b) has small holes.
- Tagging. Only 1055b, issued May 6, 1968, is tagged; it also has shiny gum.
- Imperforate pairs. 1055c, an imperforate pair with a Riverdale, Maryland precancel, and 1055d, a tagged imperforate pair, are listed errors.
Measure the perforations with our perforation gauge; coils should gauge 10 on the perforated sides.
About the design
The 2¢ Jefferson was designed by Tyler Dingee and William Schrage, engraved by Matthew D. Fenton, and lettered by George L. Huber. It belongs to the Liberty series, the definitives that replaced the 1938 Presidential series in the 1950s. For the earlier Jefferson stamps, see the 3¢ Jefferson of 1938 and the 1¢ Jefferson of 1968.
2¢ Thomas Jefferson stamp: questions collectors ask
How much is a 2 cent Jefferson stamp worth?
A normal 1954 copy sells for around face value; Mystic Stamp Company lists the sheet stamp at 35 cents retail. Silkote paper copies and imperforate coil pairs are the exceptions.
What is Silkote paper?
A very white, smooth paper the Bureau of Engraving and Printing tried experimentally on a small number of 2¢ Jefferson sheet stamps in 1954. Those stamps are listed as Scott 1033a.
How do I tell a wet printing from a dry printing?
Dry-printed stamps have whiter paper and more surface sheen. Comparing several copies side by side helps; on the 2¢ coils, the 1954 wet printing is 1055 and the 1957 dry printing is 1055a.
Is the 2¢ Jefferson coil tagged?
Only the 1968 small-hole printing, Scott 1055b. The 1954 and 1957 coils are untagged.
Sources & References
- 1954 Liberty series identifier - StampSmarter (1847usa)
- 1033 - 1954 2c Thomas Jefferson - Mystic Stamp Company
- A Glossary of Terms for the Collector of United States Stamps - United States Stamp Society
- Frequently Asked Questions - American Philatelic Society
A useful estimate, not a professional appraisal
Stamp values are estimates for general reference. Actual value depends on condition, centering, cancellations, gum, authenticity, provenance and current collector demand. For rare or potentially valuable stamps, consult a qualified philatelic expert or appraiser.
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