Ecuador Sc. 1, First Issue, Coat of Arms

Ecuador · 1865 · Medio Real

This is the first postage stamp issued by Ecuador, featuring the national Coat of Arms at its center. The design is relatively simple, with the denomination 'MEDIO REAL' inscribed below the central vignette and 'ECUADOR' at the top. The stamp was printed in blue and marks the beginning of Ecuador's postal history.

Issued in 1865, this stamp represents Ecuador's entry into the global postal system, following the trend set by Great Britain's Penny Black 25 years earlier. It facilitated standardized, prepaid postage within the country.