France, 20 Centimes Black on White, Ceres Issue, Used in Algeria
France (Used in Algeria) · 1849 · 20c
This stamp is the first issue of France, featuring a profile of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, wearing a garland of wheat and grapes. The design, created by Jacques-Jean Barre, is a classic of early philately. This particular example is identifiable as used in Algeria by its distinctive lozenge-shaped postmark with a large numeral.
From 1849, French stamps were used in Algeria, which was then a French colony. Postmarks with large numerals (gros chiffres) were used to identify the town of origin, making these cancellations highly collectible.
Printing Method
Typography
Catalog Numbers
Estimated Values by Condition
Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults
Well centered, fresh colors
Nicely centered, minor flaws
Average centering, acceptable
Off-center or visible wear
Prices are approximate market estimates for educational purposes. Actual values depend on specific factors including cancel type, margins, and provenance.
