Mexico 1872 Miguel Hidalgo Overprinted Forgery

Mexico · 1872 · 6 Centavos

This stamp features a portrait of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a key figure in the Mexican War of Independence. Originally a forgery of an earlier issue, it was confiscated by postal authorities. Due to a shortage of genuine stamps, these forgeries were officially overprinted with the year '1872' and a district name, then legally issued for postal use.

The official use of overprinted forgeries in Mexico during this period highlights the logistical challenges faced by the postal service in a vast and developing country.