Fiji postage stamp year 1882 5 Shillings Queen Victoria

Fiji postage stamp year 1882 5 Shillings Queen Victoria

📮 1882 Fiji – 5 Shillings Queen Victoria (Postage Stamp)

• Country: Fiji
• Issue Date: 1882 (part of the early Queen Victoria series)
• Design: Portrait of Queen Victoria (sideface/profile) — typical of British colonial stamps of the period
• Denomination: 5 Shillings
• Characteristics:
  • Printed in combinations of black and red-brown (often described as “blk & redbrn”)
  • Watermark and perforation details vary by specific printing and variety.
• Catalogue Listing: Commonly listed in stamp catalogues (e.g., Stanley Gibbons (SG 37 or SG 69)) as part of the 1881–1882 issues.
• Rarity/Varieties:
  • The first printing of the 5 Shillings was lithographed (rare) and sent to Fiji in May 1882 — only 10,000 printed.
  • Later examples might have different printing frames or slight design variations (often noted by specialists).
• Use: Issued as a postage stamp for postal purposes on the Fiji postal service.

🔎 Collecting Notes

• Mint vs Used: The stamp exists in both unused (mint) and used condition; used examples can show cancellations (e.g., remainder cancels applied later).
• Collector Interest: Being a high-value denomination and early print, it’s highly sought after by Fiji collectors.