Egypt 1879 5 Piastres on 2.5 Piastres Surcharge

Egypt · 1879 · 5 Piastres on 2.5 Piastres

This stamp is a provisional issue created by surcharging an existing 2.5 piastre stamp with a new value of 5 piastres. The original design features a prominent numeral '2½' within an ornate circular frame, which is overprinted with the new '5 PIASTRES' value. Such surcharges were common in the 19th century to quickly adapt to changing postal rates or use up existing stamp stock.

Issued under the authority of Khedive Isma'il Pasha, this period in Egyptian postal history saw frequent changes and the need for provisional stamps. This surcharge is a classic example of 19th-century philatelic utility.