Colombia 1859 First Issue, Coat of Arms

Colombia · 1859 · 20c

This stamp is the first postage stamp issued by the United States of Colombia. The design features the national Coat of Arms, which includes a condor holding a laurel wreath, a Phrygian cap symbolizing liberty, and two cornucopias. The stamp was crudely printed by lithography and is imperforate.

Issued in 1859, this stamp marks the beginning of the national postal system in Colombia, replacing various local and private mail services. It represents a key step in the nation's modernization and unification efforts during the mid-19th century.