Mauritius "Post Office" 2d Blue
Mauritius · 1847 · 2d (Two Pence)
This stamp features a left-facing profile of Queen Victoria, based on the 1838 'City Medal' portrait by William Wyon. The design is primitive yet iconic, with the inscription "POST OFFICE" along the left panel, a feature later changed to "POST PAID" on subsequent issues. The denomination "TWO PENCE" is at the bottom, and "MAURITIUS" is at the top.
Issued by the British colony of Mauritius, this was one of the first stamps issued in the British Empire outside of Great Britain itself. The "Post Office" inscription was an error, intended to be "Post Paid," making the few surviving examples from the original printing of 500 exceptionally rare.
Printing Method
Engraved
Catalog Numbers
Image: · License:
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.