Finland 1856 5 Kopecks Blue, First Issue

Finland · 1856 · 5 Kopecks

This is the first postage stamp issued by Finland, featuring the Finnish coat of arms with a crowned lion rampant on a shield, surrounded by an oval band containing the denomination in both Finnish and Swedish. The design is simple yet elegant, printed in a distinct blue color on imperforate wove paper. It is a classic example of early European stamp design, emphasizing national symbols and currency.

Issued while Finland was an autonomous Grand Duchy within the Russian Empire, this stamp represents an early assertion of Finnish postal independence. The dual-currency denomination (Kopecks and Penniä) reflects the complex political and monetary situation of the time.