1909 2-Cent Lincoln Commemorative Stamp Value & Price Guide (2026)

On February 12, 1909, the United States Post Office Department issued a 2-cent stamp to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. It was a simple design: a profile portrait of Lincoln in carmine, based on a plaque by sculptor Victor David Brenner. That same Brenner portrait appeared on the Lincoln penny released later that year. But the stamp made history first. It was the first United States postage stamp to depict an actual, identifiable person rather than an allegorical figure. Every presidential stamp that followed owes its existence to this precedent.

Quick Value Summary

Detail	Info
Item	1909 2-Cent Lincoln Commemorative (Scott #367)
Year	1909
Category	Stamps
Condition Range
Used, average	$0.50 - $2
Mint, hinged	$3 - $8
Mint, never hinged (MNH)	$8 - $20
Mint block of four, MNH	$40 - $80
Plate block, MNH	$80 - $200+
On cover (first day)	$50 - $300+
Bluish paper variety (Scott #369)	$150 - $3,000+
Rarity	Common (regular), Rare (bluish paper)

The Story

Before 1909, United States stamps depicted allegorical figures (Liberty, Columbia) or used portraits of people whose identity was secondary to their symbolic role. Benjamin Franklin appeared on stamps as the father of the American postal system, and George Washington appeared as the father of the country, but these were treated more as symbols than as portraits of specific individuals. The 1909 Lincoln stamp was the first to be issued specifically to honor a named historical person on a specific commemorative occasion.

The centennial of Lincoln's birth was a major national event. Cities across the country planned celebrations. The Lincoln penny was in development. And Postmaster General George von Lengerke Meyer authorized a commemorative stamp to mark the occasion.

The design came from Victor David Brenner's portrait plaque of Lincoln, created in 1907. Brenner, a Lithuanian-born sculptor working in New York, had based his Lincoln portrait on a photograph by Mathew Brady taken on February 9, 1864. The same portrait would appear on the Lincoln cent, making Brenner's Lincoln one of the most reproduced images in American history.

The stamp was printed in carmine (a deep red) on white wove paper. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced approximately 148 million copies, a very large print run that kept the stamp common in used condition. However, mint condition examples, especially never-hinged copies and specialty items like plate blocks and first day covers, carry meaningful premiums.

A small number were printed on experimental bluish-grey paper (Scott #369), creating a scarce variety that commands significant premiums.

How to Identify It

Design elements:

• Portrait: Left-facing profile of Abraham Lincoln

• Color: Carmine (deep red)

• Denomination: "2 CENTS" at the bottom

• Text: "U.S. POSTAGE" at top, "LINCOLN" on a banner beneath the portrait

• Dates: "1809" and "1909" flanking the portrait

• Size: Standard US stamp size for the era (approximately 22mm x 19mm)

• Perforation: Perforated 12

Scott catalog numbers:

• Scott #367: Standard issue on white wove paper. The common version.

• Scott #368: Imperforate version (no perforations). Uncommon. Values $2-$15 in pairs.

• Scott #369: Printed on bluish-grey paper. The scarce variety. Values $150-$3,000+.

Identifying the bluish paper variety (Scott #369): The bluish paper has a distinctly different tone compared to the standard white wove paper. Hold the stamp up to a white background. The bluish paper will show a grey-blue tint in the paper fibers themselves, not just in the gum or a surface treatment. This variety was printed on experimental paper that the Bureau was testing during this period. Verification may require comparison with a known example or expert opinion.

Common confusions:

• 1902 series 2-cent Washington (Scott #319): Also carmine, but depicts Washington. Check the portrait.

• Later Lincoln commemoratives: Other Lincoln stamps were issued in 1942, 1954, 1958, and beyond. Check the design details and printing era.

• The imperforate variety (#368) vs. trimmed perforated stamps: Some collectors have trimmed the perforations off regular stamps to simulate the imperforate variety. Genuine imperforates should show wider margins and be authenticated in pairs or larger multiples.

Value by Condition

Used, Average: $0.50 - $2

The most common condition you'll encounter. A used copy with a circular date cancel or wavy line cancel. Light cancels are preferred over heavy ones. With 148 million printed, these are among the most common early 20th-century US commemoratives.

Mint, Hinged (MH): $3 - $8

An unused copy that was previously mounted with a stamp hinge, leaving a thin paper remnant or disturbance on the gum. Standard for stamps from this era, as collectors routinely hinged stamps into albums.

Mint, Never Hinged (MNH): $8 - $20

An unused copy with full, undisturbed original gum. These are preferred by modern collectors and command a premium over hinged copies. Well-centered MNH copies push toward $20. Centering matters: a perfectly centered MNH copy with even margins on all four sides is worth more than an off-center one.

Mint Block of Four, MNH: $40 - $80

A block of four connected stamps, all with full original gum. These are popular with collectors who want a display piece. Quality blocks with good centering across all four stamps command the upper range.

Plate Block, MNH: $80 - $200+

A block of stamps from the edge of the sheet showing the plate number. Plate blocks are the most desirable multiple format for US stamp collectors. Premium examples with wide margins and strong centering can exceed $200.

On Cover (First Day or Early Use): $50 - $300+

A stamp used on an envelope mailed on or near the February 12, 1909 first day of issue. First day covers from 1909 are scarce because the practice of collecting them was not yet widespread. Genuine first day covers with clear February 12, 1909 postmarks command strong premiums.

Bluish Paper Variety (Scott #369): $150 - $3,000+

The bluish paper variety is genuinely scarce. Mint copies start around $150 for hinged examples with certification. MNH copies reach $300-$800. Plate blocks or first day covers on bluish paper are four-figure items. Authentication is essential.

Authentication & Fakes

The main authentication concerns:

• Bluish paper misidentification: The difference between standard paper and bluish paper can be subtle. Environmental exposure (humidity, light) can alter paper appearance over time. Expert certification is necessary for any bluish paper claim.

• Regummed stamps: Old stamps sometimes have new gum applied to make them appear MNH. Check for gum disturbances, unusual gum color or texture, or gum that's too perfect for a 100+ year old stamp.

• Trimmed perforations: Stamps with trimmed perfs passed off as the imperforate variety (#368). Always buy imperforates as pairs or with certification.

• Reperforation: Adding perforations to imperforate stamps. Expert examination can detect this.

For Scott #369 (bluish paper) and for any copy valued over $100, certification from a recognized expertizing service is recommended:

• Philatelic Foundation (PF): Based in New York. Fees start at $25-$50.

• American Philatelic Expertizing Service (APEX): The APS service. Similar fee range.

Where to Sell

• eBay: The most active marketplace for US stamps. Works well for certified copies and specialty items. Expect 13% in fees.

• Stamp dealers: Local and online dealers buy accumulations. Expect 30-60% of catalog value for common issues, more for scarce varieties.

• Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries: The premier US stamp auction house. Best for rarities like bluish paper varieties or exceptional first day covers.

• Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions: Another major stamp auction house.

• Stamp shows: The APS Stampshow and other major philatelic events attract buyers for all levels.

Shipping stamps requires rigid cardboard protection and, for valuable items, a small padded mailer with tracking. Cost runs $4-$8 domestically. For stamps in glassine envelopes, place between cardboard stiffeners.

Not sure about the variety or condition of your stamp? Upload a photo to Curio Comp for help identifying what you have.

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