Cérès, 20 centimes black on yellowish

France · 1849 · 20c

This stamp features the head of Cérès, the Roman goddess of agriculture, facing left, designed by Jacques-Jean Barre. It is part of the first series of postage stamps issued by France, known as the Cérès series. The denomination '20c' is inscribed below the portrait, and the words 'REPUB FRANC' appear at the top.

Issued by the Second Republic of France, this was one of the country's first postage stamps, introduced following the postal reforms inspired by Great Britain's Penny Black. The 20 centimes black was the standard rate for a domestic letter.