Russia 10 kopecks Brown & Blue, First Stamp of the Russian Empire

Russia · 1857 · 10 kopecks

This is the first postage stamp issued by the Russian Empire. The design features the imperial coat of arms, a double-headed eagle, within a central oval, surrounded by the Post Office mantle. The inscription reads '10 kopecks for a lot' in Cyrillic, indicating the postal rate.

Issued on December 10, 1857, this stamp marked Russia's entry into the global postal system, simplifying mail delivery across the vast empire. It was imperforate, requiring it to be cut from the sheet with scissors.