uncommonpre-1900

King Leopold II, Belgian Congo First Issue

Name: King Leopold II, Belgian Congo First Issue
Brand: Belgian Congo

Belgian Congo · 1886 · 5 Centimes

This is the first postage stamp issued for the Congo Free State, the personal domain of King Leopold II of Belgium. The design features a left-facing portrait of the king, framed by an ornate border with the denomination '5' in each corner. The inscription reads 'ETAT INDEP. DU CONGO' (Independent State of the Congo) at the top and 'CINQ CENTIMES' at the bottom.

Issued in 1886, this stamp marks the beginning of postal services in the Congo Free State, a territory brutally exploited for its resources under Leopold II's rule before becoming a Belgian colony.

Printing Method

Typography

Themes

royalty portraits colonialism heads-of-state

Catalog Numbers

sg1

scott1

michel1

Image: · License:

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Estimated Values by Condition

Superb(S)

Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults

$150

Extremely Fine(XF)

Well centered, fresh colors

$100

Very Fine(VF)

Nicely centered, minor flaws

$60

Fine(F)

Average centering, acceptable

$30

Good(G)

Off-center or visible wear

$10

Prices are approximate market estimates for educational purposes. Actual values depend on specific factors including cancel type, margins, and provenance.