Russia No. 1, First Definitive Issue

Russian Empire · 1857 · 10 Kopeks

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 circular frame, with the denomination '10 коп.' (10 kopeks) below. The background consists of fine network engraving, and the stamp is imperforate.

Issued under Tsar Alexander II, this stamp marked Russia's entry into the global postal system, simplifying mail delivery across the vast empire. It was initially used for domestic mail within European Russia.