Mexico 1856 Hidalgo Issue, 1/2 Real Blue

Mexico · 1856 · 1/2 Real

This stamp features a portrait of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a key figure in Mexico's War of Independence. As the first postage stamp issued by Mexico, it is a classic of philately, characterized by its simple design and the prominent portrait of the national hero. The stamps were typically overprinted with the name of the district post office to prevent theft and misuse.

Issued in 1856, this stamp marks Mexico's entry into the postal union system, just 16 years after the world's first stamp, the Penny Black. It was released during a period of political instability following the Mexican-American War.