commonpre-1900

Ceres 20 Centimes with Grid Cancel

Name: Ceres 20 Centimes with Grid Cancel
Brand: France

France · 1849 · 20 centimes

The stamp features a left-facing profile of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, with 'RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE' above and 'POSTES' below, flanked by '20' and 'C' for 20 centimes. It is cancelled with a distinctive grid pattern.

This stamp is one of France's first adhesive postage stamps, issued shortly after the establishment of the Second Republic, marking a significant step in postal reform and national identity. The grid cancel was an early method to prevent reuse.

Printing Method

Typography

Themes

mythology definitive portrait goddess

Catalog Numbers

sg3

scott3

michel3

Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:VT78&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="User:VT78 (page does not exist)">VT78</a> · License: CC BY-SA 4.0

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Estimated Values by Condition

Superb(S)

Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults

$150

Extremely Fine(XF)

Well centered, fresh colors

$75

Very Fine(VF)

Nicely centered, minor flaws

$30

Fine(F)

Average centering, acceptable

$15

Good(G)

Off-center or visible wear

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