Belgium 1849 'Epaulettes' King Leopold I

Belgium · 1849 · 10c

This stamp features a left-facing portrait of King Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians. The design is framed by an ornate border, with the denomination '10c' at the bottom and 'POSTES' at the top. The portrait is notable for the prominent military epaulettes on the King's shoulders, which gives the series its popular nickname.

Issued on July 1, 1849, this was the very first postage stamp of Belgium. It was part of a two-stamp set (along with a 20c value) that introduced the concept of prepaid postage to the country, following the British postal reforms of 1840.