This forgotten New Zealand stamp found in an attic just sold for over $10,000 at auction

It was tucked inside an old biscuit tin, buried beneath faded postcards and handwritten letters that hadn’t seen daylight in decades. The family clearing out their late grandfather’s home thought it was just another pile of dusty paper. But one small, faded stamp would soon set off a bidding war — and sell for more than $10,000.

A rare survivor

The stamp, a late-19th-century New Zealand issue, was printed in limited numbers and is known among collectors for a subtle but distinctive colour variation. Measuring just over 2cm across, it bears the profile of Queen Victoria and a denomination long since phased out of circulation.

According to auctioneers, fewer than 30 examples in such good condition are known to exist. Many others were lost, damaged, or used and discarded long before stamp collecting took off as a serious hobby.

“It’s a miracle this one survived,” says auction specialist Daniel Harris. “Most were soaked off envelopes or handled so often they degraded. This one was stored away, untouched, for more than a century.”

How it was found

The seller, who wishes to remain anonymous, discovered the tin while sorting through boxes in the attic. Inside were old family photographs, yellowed newspaper clippings — and a small envelope marked simply: ‘For safe keeping’.

Inside that envelope was the stamp, still mounted on a backing card, with a note in pencil: ‘Very rare — keep’.

Not realising its full value, the family initially considered donating it to a local historical society. It was only after a friend suggested a professional appraisal that they learned just how valuable it might be.

The auction drama

Once listed in the catalogue, interest from collectors was immediate. Bidders from New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and the United States registered to compete. Within minutes of the auction opening, the price had already passed the pre-sale estimate of $4,000.

The final bid — placed by a phone bidder from overseas — landed just over the $10,000 mark, setting a new record for this specific stamp variation in New Zealand.

Previous New Zealand stamp auction highs

Why collectors pay so much

Experts say the value comes down to three factors:

• Scarcity: So few examples remain in mint condition.
• Historical context: Issued during a transitional period in NZ’s postal history.
• Condition: Crisp edges, vibrant colour, and no postmark.

“For serious philatelists, this is a once-in-a-lifetime find,” says Harris. “It’s not just the rarity — it’s the story behind it.”

A growing market

While stamp collecting may seem like an old-fashioned pastime, high-value sales like this show the hobby is far from fading. In recent years, online platforms have opened the market to younger collectors, some of whom see rare stamps as an alternative investment.

The fact that this example was found in an ordinary family home also fuels hope among amateur treasure hunters. Who knows how many other rare pieces are hiding in attics, basements, and desk drawers around the country?

More than money

For the seller’s family, the sale was bittersweet. The stamp’s connection to their grandfather — who apparently knew it was special — added a layer of nostalgia to the windfall.

“He clearly wanted us to keep it safe,” one family member said after the sale. “I think he’d be happy to know it’s gone to someone who truly appreciates it.”