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very rarepre-1900

Philippines First Issue, Queen Isabella II

Philippines · 1854 · 5 Cuartos

This stamp is the first postage stamp issued by the Philippines, then a Spanish colony. The design features a crude, locally engraved portrait of Queen Isabella II of Spain, facing left, within an oval frame. It was printed in Manila on fragile, thin paper without perforations.

Issued under Spanish colonial rule, this stamp marks the beginning of the postal system in the Philippines, which was the first country in Asia to issue adhesive postage stamps.

Catalog Numbers

sg1
scott1
michel1

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Estimated Values by Condition

Superb(S)

Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults

$2,500
Extremely Fine(XF)

Well centered, fresh colors

$1,800
Very Fine(VF)

Nicely centered, minor flaws

$1,200
Fine(F)

Average centering, acceptable

$600
Good(G)

Off-center or visible wear

$250

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