Costa Rica Telegraph Stamps

Costa Rica · 1883 · Various Centavos

This series of telegraph stamps from Costa Rica features the national coat of arms as the central design element. The stamps were issued in various denominations and colors, including 5, 10, 25, and 50 Centavos, to prepay for telegraph services. The design is simple, with the denomination clearly indicated in numerals at the corners.

Issued in the late 19th century, these stamps represent the expansion of modern communication infrastructure in Costa Rica. Telegraph stamps were a common form of revenue collection for state-run telegraph services before they were often superseded by regular postage stamps.