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Moldavia Bull's Head (Cap de Bour)
legendarypre-1900

Moldavia Bull's Head (Cap de Bour)

Romania · 1858 · 27 parale

This stamp, known as the "Cap de Bour" or Bull's Head, is the first postage stamp issued by the Principality of Moldavia. The design features the head of an aurochs (a wild bull), the heraldic symbol of Moldavia, surrounded by a post horn, a five-pointed star, and the Cyrillic inscription 'PORTO SCRISOREI' (Postage for a letter). The denomination is indicated in the lower part of the post horn.

Issued in July 1858 in Iași, the capital of Moldavia, this stamp predates the unification of Moldavia and Wallachia which formed the basis of modern Romania in 1859. These stamps were in use for only a few months, making them exceptionally rare.

Printing Method

Typography

Catalog Numbers

sg1
scott1
michel1

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Estimated Values by Condition

Superb(S)

Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults

$120,000
Extremely Fine(XF)

Well centered, fresh colors

$90,000
Very Fine(VF)

Nicely centered, minor flaws

$65,000
Fine(F)

Average centering, acceptable

$35,000
Good(G)

Off-center or visible wear

$15,000

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