Sweden Postage Due, Coat of Arms

Sweden · 1874 · 1 öre

This stamp is Sweden's first postage due issue, featuring a simple yet elegant design. The central element is a large numeral '1' indicating the value, surrounded by ornate scrollwork and the Swedish text 'LÖSEN' which translates to 'postage due'. The design is printed in black on yellowish paper, a common characteristic of early postage due stamps.

Issued in 1874, this stamp was used to collect insufficient postage from the recipient of a letter, a common practice in the 19th century before prepayment of postage became mandatory.