Mexico 1856 Hidalgo 'Medio Real' First Issue

Mexico · 1856 · ½ Real

This is the first postage stamp issued by Mexico, featuring a portrait of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a key figure in the Mexican War of Independence. The design is simple, with the portrait framed by ornate scrollwork, the denomination 'MEDIO REAL' at the bottom, and 'CORREOS MEJICO' at the top. These stamps were issued without perforations and were typically handstamped with a district overprint to prevent theft and misuse.

Issued in 1856, this stamp marks Mexico's entry into the global postal system, a significant step in modernizing the nation's communication infrastructure during a period of political instability following the Mexican-American War.