Hong Kong Queen Victoria 96c Olive-Bistre, Watermark Crown CC

Hong Kong · 1865 · 96c

This definitive stamp features the diademed head of Queen Victoria, facing left, in an oval frame. The design, known as the 'Chalon Head' after its engraver Alfred Edward Chalon, was common across many British colonies. The denomination '96 CENTS' is inscribed at the bottom, with Chinese characters in the side panels.

Issued during the British colonial period, this stamp represents one of the highest denominations of its time, used for heavy mail or specific postal rates. The olive-bistre color is a known error, as the intended color for this value was greyish-brown.