legendarypre-1900

Basel Dove 2.5 Rappen

Name: Basel Dove 2.5 Rappen
Brand: Switzerland

Switzerland · 1845 · 2.5 Rappen

This iconic stamp features a white dove in flight, set against a red shield, with 'STADT POST BASEL' inscribed around the bottom. Designed by Melchior Berry and printed by Krebs in Frankfurt, it is notable for being one of the world's first multi-colored stamps, printed in black, crimson, and blue-green, with the dove embossed in white.

Issued by the Canton of Basel in 1845, this stamp represents a significant innovation in early philately as one of the first three-color stamps ever produced. It served as a local postal issue before the establishment of a unified Swiss federal postal system.

Printing Method

Typography

Themes

dove heraldry local-post animal coat-of-arms

Catalog Numbers

sgL1

scottL1

michel1

Image: · License:

View on Wikimedia Commons

Estimated Values by Condition

Superb(S)

Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults

$500,000

Extremely Fine(XF)

Well centered, fresh colors

$250,000

Very Fine(VF)

Nicely centered, minor flaws

$120,000

Fine(F)

Average centering, acceptable

$60,000

Good(G)

Off-center or visible wear

$30,000

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