Everyday US stamps
3¢ Thomas Jefferson stamp value
Which 3¢ Jefferson do you have?
| Scott | Format | Issued | How to tell |
|---|---|---|---|
| 807 | Sheet stamp, perf 11 x 10½, light to deep violet | June 16, 1938, Washington, D.C. | Perforated on all four sides |
| 807a | Booklet pane of 6 | Jan. 27, 1939 | Straight edge on one or two sides |
| 842 | Coil, perf 10 vertically | Jan. 20, 1939 | Straight edges top and bottom |
| 851 | Coil, perf 10 horizontally | Jan. 27, 1939 | Straight edges on the left and right |
| Counterfeit | Lithographed fake, perf 12 x 12 | After 1938, New York | No horizontal gum breakers on the back |
The one to check for
The New York counterfeit
Nathan Levine of New York printed fake 3¢ Jeffersons by photography and lithography, and investigators found more than eight million in his home. Measure the perforations: the genuine stamp is perforated 11 x 10½, the fakes 12 x 12. The counterfeits also lack the horizontal gum breakers found on the back of genuine stamps, and their background lines are less distinct. Mystic lists a perforated counterfeit at $69, against 35 cents for the real thing, which Mystic calls "a seldom occurrence."
What your 3¢ Jefferson is most likely worth
Very little. The American Philatelic Society says most US stamps issued since 1940 sell "at or around their original face value," and the 1938 3¢ Jefferson, though slightly older, trades the same way. Mystic Stamp Company lists a single copy at 35 cents and also sells used copies by the hundred and the thousand in glassine bundles, which tells you how many survive.
There is a reason they are everywhere. The 3¢ stamp paid the first-class letter rate, which USPS records show stood at 3 cents from July 6, 1932 until August 1, 1958. Mystic calls the Jefferson "the most commonly used and in-demand stamp of the series" and notes it stayed in use until 1958, even after the Liberty series replaced the Prexies in the 1950s.
Listed varieties
Beyond the counterfeit, the catalogs list a few genuine errors. They are worth far more than a normal stamp, but they are scarce and need a certificate:
- 807b: horizontal pair, imperforate between.
- 807c: imperforate pair.
- 807d: horizontal pair, imperforate between, from a booklet pane.
- Coil collectibles: joint line pairs on 842 and 851, gripper cracks on 842, and double transfers interest specialists.
Measure perforations with our perforation gauge and compare the back of a suspect stamp with a known genuine copy for the gum breakers.
The Presidential series in brief
The 1938 Presidential series, nicknamed the "Prexies," pictured all 29 US presidents through Calvin Coolidge. The 3¢ Jefferson sheet stamp was first sold in Washington, D.C., on June 16, 1938.
If your purple 3¢ shows George Washington instead, it is probably the 1932 issue: see the 3¢ purple Washington guide.
3¢ Thomas Jefferson stamp: questions collectors ask
How much is a 3 cent Thomas Jefferson stamp worth?
A normal 1938 copy sells for around face value; Mystic lists it at 35 cents retail. Imperforate errors and the period counterfeit are the exceptions.
How can I tell if my 3¢ Jefferson is the counterfeit?
Measure the perforations. Genuine stamps are perf 11 x 10½; Levine's counterfeits are perf 12 x 12, have no horizontal gum breakers and show less distinct background lines.
Why are there so many 3 cent Jefferson stamps?
It paid the standard 3¢ letter rate, in force from 1932 to 1958, and stayed in use for two decades. It was the most heavily used stamp of the Presidential series.
What is the Scott number for the 3¢ Jefferson?
Scott 807 for the sheet stamp, 807a for the booklet pane, and 842 and 851 for the two coil versions.
Sources & References
- 807 - 1938 3c Jefferson - Mystic Stamp Company
- This Day in History: June 16, 1938 - Mystic Stamp Company
- 807CF1 - 1938 Jefferson perforated counterfeit - Mystic Stamp Company
- 1938 Presidential series identifier - StampSmarter (1847usa)
- Rates for Domestic Letters Since 1863 - USPS Historian
- Postage stamps and postal history of the United States - Wikipedia
- 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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