Great Britain 1840 1d Penny Black

Great Britain · 1840 · 1d (One Penny)

This is the world's first adhesive postage stamp, commonly known as the Penny Black. The design features a profile portrait of Queen Victoria based on a medal struck in 1837. The background consists of fine engine-turned engraving, and the stamp lacks the country's name, a feature unique to British stamps to this day.

Issued as part of postal reforms introduced by Rowland Hill, the Penny Black revolutionized communication by making postage affordable and prepaid. Its introduction standardized postal rates and led to a massive increase in mail volume.