Bavaria Bayern postage stamps year 1867/68

Bavaria Bayern postage stamps year 1867/68 Used set

The Bavaria (Bayern) postage stamps issued in 1867 and 1868 are a significant part of the region’s philatelic history. They are known as the “Wappenausgabe” or Coat of Arms Issue.

Here are the key characteristics of these stamps:

🛡️ Key Features of the 1867-1868 Issue

• Design: The central feature is the Embossed Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Bavaria.
• Perforation: These stamps were imperforate (not perforated).
• Printing Method: They were produced using Typography (Buchdruck) and Embossing (Prägedruck).
• Security Feature: A very distinctive feature is a vertical red silk thread (Seidenfaden) embedded in the paper. This thread is a crucial identifier for the genuine 1867-68 imperforate issue.
• Denominations and Colors (in Kreuzer – kr):
  • 1 kr: Green (various shades like bluish-green or yellow-green)
  • 3 kr: Rose/Pink
  • 6 kr: Blue (1867) or Yellowish-brown (October 1868)
  • 7 kr: Ultramarine or Prussian blue (new value added in October 1868)
  • 9 kr: Brown or Yellowish-brown
  • 12 kr: Lilac/Purple
  • 18 kr: Brick red or Wine red

The 7 Kreuzer value was introduced in October 1868 due to a rate increase for heavier letters sent to foreign destinations.

💰 Collecting Information

• Catalog Numbers: These stamps correspond to the early Michel (Mi) numbers (Mi #14 to #21) or Scott numbers (Sc #15 to #23, depending on the specific variation).
• Cancellation: Stamps of this era often feature the famous “Mühlradstempel” (Mill Wheel Cancel), which comes in two main types (closed or open).
• Value: As with all older stamps, the value depends heavily on condition, centering, the specific color shade/variety, and whether it is unused (mint) or used (cancelled). The 18 kr red is often the most valuable of the series.