India, 1854, 4 Annas, Queen Victoria, Inverted Head
India · 1854 · 4 Annas
This classic stamp features a portrait of Queen Victoria, printed in two colors: a red frame with a blue head. It is famous for the 'Inverted Head' error, where the central vignette of the Queen was printed upside down relative to the frame. This was India's first bicolored stamp and is a celebrated rarity in philately.
Issued during the period of British East India Company rule, this stamp was part of the first series of stamps for all of India. The complex two-color printing process led to the famous and highly sought-after inverted head error.
Printing Method
Lithography
Catalog Numbers
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View on Wikimedia CommonsEstimated Values by Condition
Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults
Well centered, fresh colors
Nicely centered, minor flaws
Average centering, acceptable
Off-center or visible wear
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