1867 Hawaii Kamehameha Stamp Set Value & Price Guide

In 1867, the Kingdom of Hawaii was still an independent nation with its own postal system, its own currency, and its own stamps. The islands sat in the middle of the Pacific, ruled by the Kamehameha dynasty that had unified the Hawaiian archipelago through warfare and diplomacy starting in 1795. The 1867 stamp issue featured portraits of Hawaiian royalty, making them some of the most visually distinctive stamps of the 19th century and important artifacts of Hawaiian sovereignty in the decades before American annexation in 1898.

The 1867 series replaced earlier issues and introduced a more refined engraved portrait style. The stamps depicted members of the Kamehameha line, printed by the National Bank Note Company of New York. These were working postage stamps used on letters traveling between Hawaii and the world.

Quick Value Summary

• Item: 1867 Hawaii Kamehameha Issue (various denominations)

• Year: 1867

• Category: Stamps

• Condition Range (per stamp):

  • 1-cent (purple, Princess Victoria Kamamalu): Used $30-$100, Unused $200-$600
  • 2-cent (red, Kamehameha IV): Used $40-$150, Unused $300-$800
  • 5-cent (blue, Kamehameha V): Used $20-$75, Unused $150-$400
  • 6-cent (green, Kamehameha V): Used $100-$300, Unused $500-$1,500
  • 13-cent (orange, Kamehameha III): Used $75-$250, Unused $400-$1,200
  • 18-cent (red, Kamehameha II): Used $200-$600, Unused $1,000-$3,000

• Rarity: Varies by denomination. Higher values (13-cent, 18-cent) scarcer

The Story

The Kamehameha dynasty shaped Hawaii from warring chiefdoms into a unified kingdom recognized by major world powers. Kamehameha I conquered and unified the islands between 1795 and 1810. His descendants ruled until 1872, when Kamehameha V died without a successor, ending the dynasty and triggering events that led to the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom in 1893.

The 1867 stamps capture the dynasty at a transitional moment. Kamehameha V was the reigning monarch, and his portrait appears on the 5-cent and 6-cent values. The set honored previous rulers, creating a philatelic portrait gallery of Hawaiian royalty. Princess Victoria Kamamalu, on the 1-cent stamp, had died in 1866, making her appearance a memorial.

The National Bank Note Company of New York produced these stamps, the same company that printed United States stamps. The quality of engraving reflects that expertise.

How to Identify Them

• Engraving Quality: Finely detailed portraits with clear facial features and textures

• Paper: Wove paper characteristic of the 1860s

• Perforations: Perforated 12. Earlier Hawaiian stamps were imperforate

• Denominations and Colors: Each denomination has a specific assigned color

• Watermarks: Generally unwatermarked

Common Confusions:

• Earlier Hawaiian stamps (1851-1865) have different designs and printing methods

• The 1882-1889 issues also feature Hawaiian royalty but are different series

• Reproductions and forgeries of Hawaiian stamps exist, particularly of the valuable early "Missionaries" (1851-1852). The 1867 issues are less frequently forged but authentication is still recommended for high-value examples

Value by Denomination

1-cent Princess Victoria Kamamalu (purple/violet) The lowest denomination. Used copies are the most affordable entry point. Unused copies with original gum are scarce and command premiums.

2-cent Kamehameha IV (vermilion/red) Moderately valued. The bright red color makes this stamp visually striking. Condition of the color matters: faded copies are worth less.

5-cent Kamehameha V (blue) The most common denomination in used condition because 5 cents covered the basic letter rate. Used copies are relatively affordable. Unused copies are genuinely scarce.

6-cent Kamehameha V (green) Less common than the 5-cent. The green color is distinctive and attractive. Values are noticeably higher than the lower denominations.

13-cent Kamehameha III (orange) One of the scarcer values. The unusual denomination and vivid orange color make this stamp a standout. Used copies on cover (still attached to the original envelope) command strong premiums.

18-cent Kamehameha II (dull rose/red) The highest denomination and the most valuable stamp in the set. Used copies are scarce. Unused copies with original gum are rare and command $1,000 to $3,000+ depending on condition.

Covers and Postal History

Stamps on their original envelopes ("covers") are significantly more valuable than loose stamps. A cover from 1867 Hawaii to the United States mainland, properly franked with one or more Kamehameha stamps, tells a story about trans-Pacific communication. Covers to foreign destinations (Britain, France, Germany) are especially prized.

Values for covers can be 3x to 10x the stamp alone, depending on destination, condition, and markings.

Authentication

• Expert Certification: Recommended for unused stamps valued above $200 and for all covers. The Philatelic Foundation and American Philatelic Expertizing Service both handle Hawaiian stamps

• Forgeries: Less common for the 1867 issue than for the earlier Missionaries, but they exist. Forgeries typically have slightly different engraving details, incorrect paper, or wrong perforations

• Color Verification: Some stamps have been chemically altered to change or enhance color. UV examination can detect chemical treatments

Where to Sell

• Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries: Handles the finest Hawaiian philatelic material

• Heritage Auctions: Strong for U.S. territories and possessions

• Schuyler Rumsey Auctions: San Francisco-based auctioneer with Pacific region specialty

• eBay: Good for individual stamps valued under $500

Estimated Selling Costs:

• Expert certification: $30-$75 per stamp

• Auction commission: 15%-20%

• Insured shipping: $15-$30

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The 1867 Hawaii Kamehameha stamps are small pieces of an independent Pacific kingdom that no longer exists. Each stamp is a royal portrait, a postal document, and a reminder that Hawaii had its own postal service, its own monarchy, and its own place in the world. Browse all Stamps items ->

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