Spain, Queen Isabella II, Coat of Arms

Spain · 1850 · 6 Cuartos

This is the first postage stamp issued by Spain, featuring a portrait of Queen Isabella II. The design is simple, with the Queen's effigy facing right, framed by the inscription 'CORREOS 1850' (Post 1850) and the denomination '6 CUARTOS' at the bottom. This stamp marked Spain's entry into the postal reform movement initiated by Great Britain's Penny Black.

Issued on January 1, 1850, this stamp was part of Spain's postal reforms to standardize and prepay postage. Queen Isabella II's reign was a turbulent period in Spanish history, and these stamps are a key artifact of her era.