commonpre-1900

United Kingdom 1881 1d Lilac, Die II

Name: United Kingdom 1881 1d Lilac, Die II
Brand: United Kingdom
Availability: InStock

United Kingdom · 1881 · 1d

This definitive stamp features a diademed profile of Queen Victoria facing left, framed by an ornate rectangular border. Known as the 'Penny Lilac', it was printed in a single fugitive lilac ink on paper watermarked with an Imperial Crown. This was the most widely used stamp of the Victorian era, with billions printed over its nearly 20-year lifespan.

Issued as part of the 1881 Unified Issue, this stamp was a workhorse of the British postal system, paying the domestic letter rate for almost two decades. Its single fugitive ink was a security measure against cleaning and reuse.

Printing Method

Typography

Themes

royalty queen-victoria definitive

Catalog Numbers

sg172

scott96

michel75

Estimated Values by Condition

Superb(S)

Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults

$15

Extremely Fine(XF)

Well centered, fresh colors

Very Fine(VF)

Nicely centered, minor flaws

Fine(F)

Average centering, acceptable

Good(G)

Off-center or visible wear

$0.5

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