India Official Stamp, Queen Victoria
India · 1866 · 2 Annas
This stamp features the diademed profile of Queen Victoria, originally from a regular postage issue. It is overprinted with the word 'Service' in black ink for use on official government mail. The design is simple, focusing on the monarch's portrait within an oval frame, typical of the era.
Issued during the British Raj, these 'Service' overprints were India's first official stamps, created to control and account for government postage. This system was common throughout the British Empire.
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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
Prices are approximate market estimates for educational purposes. Actual values depend on specific factors including cancel type, margins, and provenance.
