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Postage Stamp Collecting Trivia Quiz

For the avid stamp collector. How much do you know? The Uniform Penny Post originated in England on January 10, 1840 and the first postage stamp was produced in May, 1840.

A multiple-choice quiz by JCSon. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
JCSon

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
6,903

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1769

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 70 (5/10), Guest 109 (3/10), GoodVibe (6/10).

This quiz has 2 formats: you can play it as a or as shown below.
Scroll down to the bottom for the answer key.

1. What is the term that describes the collection and study of postage stamps, covers, and related post material?

Answer: (One Word, spelling counts)

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2. In the context of its use within a public postal system, what is the distinction of the world famous 'Penny Black'? Hint

the world's smallest postage stamp

the world's most valuable postage stamp

the world's first postage stamp

the world's rarest postage stamp

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3. Which of these sold for just under $1 million in 1980, making it the world's most valuable postage stamp at the time? Hint

British Guiana 1 cent stamp

Inverted Jenny

Penny Black

Blackjack Issue

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4. What term is used to describe postage stamps in unused, original condition, just as they came from the Post Office? Hint

Complete

Se-tenant

Mint

Imperforate

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5. Who invented the aforementioned 'Penny Black'? Hint

Sir Wallace Cornwall

Henry W. Hartsfield, Jr.

Theodore Flannigan

Sir Rowland Hill

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6. What term is used to refer to a stamp showing a production which is not constant? Hint

Coil

Freak

Die

Mutant

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7. Approximately how many stamp collectors are there in the United States? Hint

35 million

650,000

850,000

22 million

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8. Who was the first person in the world, other than a head of state, to be pictured on a stamp? Hint

Benjamin Disraeli

Benjamin Franklin

Herbert Hoover

Sir Wallace Cornwall

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9. What foreign country was first to issue Disney stamps? Hint

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

San Marino

Andorra

Monaco

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10. What country issued the world's longest pictorial set? Hint

Italy

Poland

USA

Turkey

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is the term that describes the collection and study of postage stamps, covers, and related post material?

Answer: Philately

2. In the context of its use within a public postal system, what is the distinction of the world famous 'Penny Black'?

Answer: the world's first postage stamp

The 'Penny Black' was the world's first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. It was introduced on May 6, 1840 in Britain and portrays the United Kingdom's Queen Victoria.

3. Which of these sold for just under $1 million in 1980, making it the world's most valuable postage stamp at the time?

Answer: British Guiana 1 cent stamp

The black-on-magenta British Guiana is also one of the world's rarest stamps, being the only known one in existence. It was last purchased by an anonymous collector-investor in 1980 for $935,000. The Swedish Treskilling Yellow holds the current record for the highest auction price.

It last sold in 2010, and while the exact sale price was not disclosed, it was said to meet or exceed its previous record-setting $2.3 million sale (1996).

4. What term is used to describe postage stamps in unused, original condition, just as they came from the Post Office?

Answer: Mint

5. Who invented the aforementioned 'Penny Black'?

Answer: Sir Rowland Hill

Sir Rowland Hill designed the world's first stamp for the British Royal Mail.

6. What term is used to refer to a stamp showing a production which is not constant?

Answer: Freak

7. Approximately how many stamp collectors are there in the United States?

Answer: 22 million

There are a total of more than 75 million stamp collectors worldwide!

8. Who was the first person in the world, other than a head of state, to be pictured on a stamp?

Answer: Benjamin Franklin

The 5 cent Benjamin Franklin was issued in July 1847. The 10c stamp featuring George Washington was issued simultaneously.

9. What foreign country was first to issue Disney stamps?

Answer: San Marino

10. What country issued the world's longest pictorial set?

Answer: Turkey

From 1958-1960, Turkey produced a complete series of 134 stamps. It is the longest set issued with pictorial designs and the second longest set ever released in philatelic history.

Source: Author JCSon

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor WesleyCrusher before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Most Recent Scores

May 18 2023 : Guest 70: 5/10
May 18 2023 : Guest 109: 3/10
May 05 2023 : GoodVibe: 6/10
Apr 21 2023 : Guest 24: 4/10

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