Uruguay 'Diligencia' Sun of May
Uruguay · 1856 · 1 Real
This stamp, known as the 'Diligencia' (Stagecoach), is one of the first postage stamps issued by Uruguay. The design features a radiant 'Sun of May' emblem, a national symbol of Uruguay and Argentina, encircled by the inscription 'DILIGENCIA' at the top and the denomination 'UN REAL' at the bottom. It 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 stagecoach routes. They predate Uruguay's first official government-issued stamps of 1859 and are highly prized by collectors of classic Latin American philately.
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View on Wikimedia CommonsEstimated Values by Condition
Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults
Well centered, fresh colors
Nicely centered, minor flaws
Average centering, acceptable
Off-center or visible wear
Prices are approximate market estimates for educational purposes. Actual values depend on specific factors including cancel type, margins, and provenance.