Everyday US stamps
8¢ Eisenhower stamp value
Which Eisenhower stamp do you have?
| Scott | Stamp | Issued | How to tell |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1394 | 8¢ sheet, black, red and blue gray, perf 11 | May 10, 1971, Washington, D.C. | Multicolor, printed on the Giori press |
| 1395 | 8¢ booklet, deep claret, perf 11 x 10½ | May 10, 1971 | Single color; straight edge on one or two sides |
| 1402 | 8¢ coil, deep claret, perf 10 vertically | May 10, 1971 | Single color; straight edges on two opposite sides |
| 1393 | 6¢ sheet, dark blue gray | Aug. 6, 1970 | Same portrait, 6¢ value |
| 1401 | 6¢ coil, dark blue gray, perf 10 vertically | Aug. 16, 1970 | 6¢ value; straight edges on two sides |
| 1383 | 6¢ memorial commemorative, blue, black and red | Oct. 14, 1969, Abilene, Kan. | Different, larger design; 150,611,200 printed |
The one to check for
Missing colors on the multicolor Scott 1394
Because Scott 1394 was printed in several colors, a color can drop out. The catalogs list 1394b with the red "USA" omitted and 1394c with red and blue lettering omitted, plus 1394a with the tagging omitted. Compare your stamp with a normal copy: if a color you expect is completely absent, not just faint, set it aside and have it expertized. On the claret coils, an imperforate pair (1402a) is also a listed error.
What your 8¢ Eisenhower 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 the multicolor 1394 and the coil 1402 at 50 cents each and the booklet single 1395 at 60 cents. The 6¢ versions are no different: Mystic lists the 1393 sheet stamp at 45 cents and the 1969 memorial at 50 cents.
These are dealer retail prices for single stamps. If you are selling, the APS cautions that you should not expect to get listed values, and a dealer buying in bulk pays far less than retail.
Why there are 6¢ and 8¢ versions
Postage rates explain it. According to the USPS Historian, the first-class letter rate rose to 6 cents on January 7, 1968 and to 8 cents on May 16, 1971. Eisenhower died on March 28, 1969. The 6¢ memorial commemorative followed in Abilene, Kansas, his hometown, on October 14, 1969; the 6¢ definitives came in August 1970; and the 8¢ versions were issued on May 10, 1971, six days before the new rate took effect.
Other listed errors and varieties
- 1395e: vertical pair, imperforate between (booklet stamp).
- 1395f–i: booklet panes with tagging omitted.
- 1402c: coil pair, imperforate between.
- 1401b and 1402a: imperforate coil pairs.
- 1401a and 1402b: untagged Bureau precancels.
Any imperforate or color-missing claim needs a certificate before it is worth more than face value. Trimmed perforations and faded colors can mimic real errors. Check perfs with the perforation gauge.
8¢ Eisenhower stamp: questions collectors ask
How much is an 8 cent Eisenhower stamp worth?
A normal copy sells for around face value; Mystic Stamp Company lists the 1971 versions at 50 to 60 cents retail. Listed errors such as a missing red "USA" are the exceptions.
What's the difference between the red-white-and-blue and the purple 8¢ Eisenhower?
The multicolor stamp (Scott 1394) is the sheet stamp, printed on the Giori press. The single-color deep claret stamp is either the booklet version (1395) or the coil (1402); check the straight edges to tell which.
Is the 1969 6¢ Eisenhower stamp valuable?
No. The memorial commemorative (Scott 1383) was printed in 150,611,200 copies and sells for around face value; Mystic lists it at 50 cents.
Are Eisenhower stamps with missing colors real?
Some are: the catalogs list 1394b (red "USA" omitted) and 1394c (red and blue lettering omitted). But color can also be faded or removed after printing, so have any apparent error expertized.
Sources & References
- 1394 - 1971 8c Dwight D. Eisenhower - Mystic Stamp Company
- 1395 - 1971 8c Dwight D. Eisenhower, booklet single - Mystic Stamp Company
- 1402 - 1971 8c Eisenhower coil - Mystic Stamp Company
- 1393 - 1970 6c Dwight D. Eisenhower - Mystic Stamp Company
- 1383 - 1969 6c Dwight D. Eisenhower - Mystic Stamp Company
- 1965–78 Prominent Americans identifier - StampSmarter (1847usa)
- Rates for Domestic Letters Since 1863 - USPS Historian
- 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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