Malta Halfpenny Yellow, Queen Victoria

Malta · 1860 · ½d

This stamp, known as the 'Halfpenny Yellow', was the first postage stamp issued by Malta. It features a right-facing profile of Queen Victoria, based on the 'Chalon Head' portrait by Alfred Edward Chalon. The design is simple, with the denomination 'HALF PENNY' inscribed at the bottom and 'MALTA' at the top.

Issued under British rule, this stamp marked Malta's entry into the postal system established by Great Britain. It was used for local postage and remained the only Maltese stamp for over two decades.