Peru First Issue, Coat of Arms

Peru · 1857 · 1/2 Dinero

This stamp is part of the first issue of Peru, featuring the national Coat of Arms. The design includes a shield divided into three sections, representing the vicuña (fauna), the cinchona tree (flora), and a cornucopia overflowing with coins (mineral wealth), all surmounted by a civic crown.

Issued in 1857, these were the first postage stamps of Peru, marking the nation's entry into the global postal system. They were printed locally in Lima and were initially intended for domestic mail.