Rare Stamp Sells For $9.5 Million at Auction

The Takeaway | Jun 18, 2014

A one cent investment from more than 150 years ago just turned a major profit.

On Tuesday evening, a 1856 British Guiana One-Cent Magenta stamp crossed Sotheby's auction block and sold for a record-breaking $9.5 million, setting a new record for the most expensive stamp sold at auction and the most valuable object by weight and size.

The stamp hasn't been seen publicly since 1986, and only returned to the market after its owner, John E. du Pont of the du Pont chemical fortune, died while in prison for murder.

Joining The Takeaway to explain the Magenta's long history is Daniel Piazza, curator of philately at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum.

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