Uruguay 1856 'Diligencia' Sun of May
Uruguay · 1856 · 1 Real
This stamp, known as the 'Diligencia' (Stagecoach), is the first postage stamp issued by Uruguay. It features a simplified design of the 'Sun of May', a national emblem representing the Inca sun god Inti, which also appears on the flags of Uruguay and Argentina. The stamp was intended for use on letters carried by stagecoach services.
Issued in October 1856, the Diligencia stamps were a private issue by the Administrator General of Posts, Atanasio Lapido, for use on internal mail routes. They predate the first official government issue by three years, making them a key piece of Uruguayan postal history.
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Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults
Well centered, fresh colors
Nicely centered, minor flaws
Average centering, acceptable
Off-center or visible wear
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