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France 1849 Ceres Issue
very rarepre-1900

France 1849 Ceres Issue

France · 1849 · 20c

This stamp features a profile of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, wearing a garland of wheat and grapes. It was the first postage stamp issued by France, designed by Jacques-Jean Barre. The design is simple and classic, with the denomination and country name surrounding the central portrait.

Issued by the Second Republic of France, the Ceres series marked the beginning of the French postal system, replacing previous hand-stamping methods and standardizing mail delivery.

Printing Method

Typography

Catalog Numbers

sg1
scott1
michel3

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Estimated Values by Condition

Superb(S)

Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults

$55,000
Extremely Fine(XF)

Well centered, fresh colors

$35,000
Very Fine(VF)

Nicely centered, minor flaws

$25,000
Fine(F)

Average centering, acceptable

$18,000
Good(G)

Off-center or visible wear

$8,000

Prices are approximate market estimates for educational purposes. Actual values depend on specific factors including cancel type, margins, and provenance.