Straits Settlements 1885 Queen Victoria 3 Cents Surcharge on 5 Cents

Straits Settlements · 1885 · 3 Cents

This 1885 stamp from Straits Settlements features a profile portrait of Queen Victoria, characteristic of British colonial issues. Originally a 5 Cents stamp, it was surcharged to 3 Cents, with the new denomination prominently displayed over the Queen's effigy.

The Straits Settlements was a group of British territories in Southeast Asia. Surcharges like this were common to adjust postal rates without printing entirely new issues, reflecting changes in colonial postal rates or economic conditions.