The Penny Black, the first official adhesive postage stamp in the world's, was issued by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on 1 May 1840, for use from 6 May.The Penny Black is not a rare stamp, but it is rather expensive. The total print run from all plates was 286,700 sheets with 68,808,000 stamps. An unused Penny Black stamp is valued in the 2001 Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue at $3,000, and a used one is valued at $180.
