1893 Columbian $5 Columbus (Scott #245)

The $5 Columbus stamp is the crown jewel of the 1893 Columbian Exposition series, the most ambitious commemorative stamp issue the United States had ever attempted. Printed in black ink and featuring a portrait of Christopher Columbus based on a Spanish medal, this stamp carried a face value so high that most Americans in 1893 could not justify buying one for actual postal use. That is exactly what makes it so fascinating today. Scott #245 was, from the very beginning, a stamp that straddled the line between postage and collectible, and more than 130 years later, it remains one of the most prestigious items in American philately.

The Columbian Exposition Series

The World's Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus's arrival in the Americas, was one of the great cultural spectacles of the Gilded Age. To commemorate the event, the United States Post Office Department issued a series of 16 stamps ranging in denomination from 1 cent to $5, the first US commemorative stamp series ever produced.

The stamps were placed on sale beginning January 2, 1893 (January 1 in New York City and Boston). Each denomination featured a different scene related to Columbus and the age of exploration, engraved by the American Bank Note Company. The designs ranged from "Columbus in Sight of Land" (1 cent) to "Columbus" (the $5 value).

The high denominations caused immediate controversy. The $1, $2, $3, $4, and $5 values were seen by many collectors as a cash grab by the postal service. A complete set at face value cost $16.34, a significant sum when the average weekly wage was around $10. Stamp collectors organized protests, and some dealers refused to stock the higher values. The controversy was so intense that it influenced postal policy for decades, with the government being more cautious about high-denomination commemoratives.

The $5 Columbus Stamp

Scott #245 features a portrait of Columbus based on a design by Olin L. Warner, who had created the Columbian Exposition half dollar coin. The source image was itself based on a medal struck in Madrid. The stamp is printed in black ink on unwatermarked paper, perforated 12.

The design shows Columbus in profile within an ornate frame. "United States Postage" appears at the top, and "Five Dollars" at the bottom. The engraving is exceptionally detailed, showcasing the skill of the American Bank Note Company's craftsmen.

Approximately 27,350 copies of the $5 stamp were printed. This may sound like a reasonable quantity, but consider the context: the 1-cent value had a print run of over 449 million. Even accounting for the fact that many low-denomination stamps were used and destroyed, the survival rate of unused $5 stamps is dramatically higher in percentage terms because so many were purchased specifically for collections.

Despite the controversy, the $5 stamp did see legitimate postal use, primarily on heavy packages and registered mail. Used examples exist, though they are less common than unused copies because the $5 denomination was simply too high for most routine correspondence.

Condition Grades for Stamps

Stamp condition grading follows established philatelic standards:

Grade	Description
Superb (S)	Perfect centering within wide, even margins, pristine original gum (if unused), brilliant color, no faults whatsoever
Extremely Fine (XF)	Nearly perfect centering with margins slightly wider on one side, full original gum, vibrant color
Very Fine (VF)	Well-centered with margins noticeably wider on one or two sides, original gum with perhaps light hinging, strong color
Fine-Very Fine (F-VF)	Slightly off-center but design well clear of perforations on all sides, original gum may show hinge remnants
Fine (F)	Noticeably off-center with perforations close to design on one side but not touching, gum may be disturbed or stamps may be regummed
Very Good (VG)	Off-center with perforations cutting into design on one side, significant gum disturbance, acceptable filler
Good (G)	Heavily off-center, perforations cut into design, faults such as thins, tears, or stains may be present

For unused stamps, the condition of the original gum is critically important. Stamps are categorized as:

• OG (Original Gum): Stamp retains its original gum, possibly with hinge marks

• NH (Never Hinged): Original gum is pristine with no evidence of hinge use

• NG (No Gum): Gum has been removed or was never present

Value and Price Guide

Scott #245 values vary enormously based on condition and gum status:

Condition / Gum Status	Approximate Value Range
Superb, NH (Never Hinged)	$15,000 to $30,000+
Extremely Fine, NH	$8,000 to $15,000
Very Fine, NH	$5,000 to $9,000
Fine-Very Fine, NH	$3,000 to $5,500
Very Fine, OG (hinged)	$2,000 to $4,000
Fine, OG (hinged)	$1,200 to $2,500
Fine, No Gum	$500 to $1,200
Used, Very Fine with neat cancel	$800 to $2,000
Used, Fine with heavy cancel	$400 to $900
Used, faults (thins, tears, stains)	$100 to $400

The Scott Catalogue lists the mint value at approximately $4,500 (Fine-Very Fine, OG hinged) and the used value at approximately $1,500 (Fine, neat cancel), though actual market prices frequently deviate from catalog values based on centering, freshness, and overall eye appeal.

Authentication and Identification

Perforation gauge. Scott #245 is perforated 12. Use a perforation gauge to verify this measurement. The Columbians were produced only in perforation 12, so any deviation indicates a different issue or a fake.

Paper and printing. The stamp is printed on unwatermarked wove paper using intaglio (engraved) printing. Under magnification, the ink should show the characteristic raised texture of intaglio printing, with fine lines creating the image through varying depths of engraving.

Color. The $5 value was printed in black, which should be a deep, rich black in well-preserved examples. Faded or grayish examples may indicate excessive light exposure or cleaning.

Centering. Examine the margins around the design. The Columbian issues are notorious for poor centering, and well-centered examples command significant premiums. A truly well-centered $5 Columbian is far rarer than the overall print run might suggest.

Gum analysis. Original gum on an 1893 stamp should have a specific appearance: slightly yellowish, smooth, and evenly applied. Regummed stamps (where gum has been applied after the fact to simulate never-hinged status) are a persistent concern. UV light examination and expert opinion can help detect regumming.

Cancellation analysis (used copies). Genuine period cancellations from 1893 to the early 1900s should show appropriate styles: duplex, machine, or manuscript cancels. Favor-canceled stamps (cancelled to order rather than through actual postal use) exist and are generally valued lower than genuinely used examples.

Expert certification. For a stamp of this value, professional certification from the Philatelic Foundation (PF) or the American Philatelic Expertizing Service (APEX) is strongly recommended. A certificate from either organization significantly enhances a stamp's marketability and provides confidence in authenticity.

The Complete Columbian Set

Many collectors pursue the $5 Columbus as part of a complete set of all 16 Columbian Exposition stamps. A complete unused set in Fine condition represents a significant investment ($15,000 to $25,000 or more), with the $5 value accounting for a substantial portion of the total. Used sets are more accessible but still command several thousand dollars.

The high-denomination Columbians ($1 through $5, Scott #241 through #245) are often collected as a sub-set, representing five of the most visually impressive stamps in American philately. This "dollar value" group is a popular collecting goal for advanced philatelists.

Historical Significance

The Columbian Exposition series holds a special place in philatelic history for several reasons. It was America's first commemorative stamp series. It established the precedent for using stamps to celebrate national events and achievements. It sparked the first major collector controversy over pricing and accessibility. And it produced some of the finest engraved stamp designs ever created.

The $5 value, as the keystone of the series, embodies all of these themes. Its high face value made it controversial in its own time, yet that same high denomination ensured that surviving examples were typically well cared for by the collectors and investors who purchased them. The result is a stamp that is genuinely rare in top condition but obtainable for determined collectors with appropriate budgets.

Collecting Strategy

For collectors approaching Scott #245, the key decision is between unused and used, and between quality and price. A beautiful used example with a neat cancel can be had for under $1,000, offering exceptional value for a stamp of this historical importance. Mint examples climb quickly in price with each improvement in centering and gum quality.

The best sources are established stamp dealers, auction houses specializing in philately (Robert A. Siegel, Daniel F. Kelleher, H.R. Harmer), and major stamp shows. Online platforms like HipStamp and eBay also carry examples, though expert certification is especially important for online purchases where physical inspection is not possible.

Whatever your budget, the $5 Columbus rewards close study. Each example has its own character, shaped by more than a century of ownership and the particular circumstances of its printing and preservation.

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