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Nepal First Issue, Head of King Surendra Bikram Shah
rarepre-1900

Nepal First Issue, Head of King Surendra Bikram Shah

Nepal · 1881 · 1 Anna

This stamp is the first postage stamp issued by Nepal, featuring a portrait of King Surendra Bikram Shah. The design is simple, with the King's head facing left, surrounded by inscriptions in Devanagari script. The stamp was crudely printed on native, handmade wove paper, resulting in significant variations.

Issued in 1881, this stamp marks the beginning of Nepal's postal system, which was initially limited to official government use. These early issues are known for their primitive production methods and are highly sought after by classic philatelists.

Printing Method

Typography

Catalog Numbers

sg1
scott1
michel1

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Estimated Values by Condition

Superb(S)

Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults

$1,500
Extremely Fine(XF)

Well centered, fresh colors

$1,000
Very Fine(VF)

Nicely centered, minor flaws

$650
Fine(F)

Average centering, acceptable

$300
Good(G)

Off-center or visible wear

$100

Prices are approximate market estimates for educational purposes. Actual values depend on specific factors including cancel type, margins, and provenance.