Argentina issued its first postage stamps in 1858 by the Argentine Confederation and then nationally by the Republic’s National Postal Service starting in 1862. Early stamps from the province of Corrientes (1856-1878) preceded national issues and were individually engraved, featuring the profile of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture. These early Corrientes stamps are prized by collectors for their unique, hand-engraved variations.
Between 1860 and 1900, Argentina issued various national postage stamps including denominations in centavos and pesos, with many issues varying by watermark, perforation, and color. Notably, stamps from the 1890s include designs with national symbols like General Manuel Belgrano. Stamps from this period range from low-value centavo denominations to high-value peso stamps, some quite rare and valuable today.
For collectors, the period 1860-1900 covers the transition from regional provincial stamps to more standardized national issues, with significant variations in printings, formats, and values. Many early stamps have been cataloged with detailed information on types, colors, watermarks, and perforations.
