British Sierra Leone postage stamp year 1876 – 4 Pence

British Sierra Leone postage stamp year 1876 – 4 Pence MH stamp

British Sierra Leone Postage Stamps – Overview

Sierra Leone, a British colony on the west coast of Africa, began issuing postage stamps in 1859 and continued under British administration until independence in 1961. These stamps reflect colonial history, British monarchs, African imagery, and evolving postal needs.

📬 Key Periods of Sierra Leone Stamps Under British Rule

1. Early Victorian Issues (1859–1896)

🔹 Design Features:

• Featured Queen Victoria’s profile in various classical keyplate designs.
• Printed by De La Rue & Co. in London.
• Denominations ranged from ½d to £1.

🗓 Notable Dates:

• 1859: First stamps issued (6d in blue)
• 1872–1896: Expansion of denominations, color changes, and perforation varieties.

🧾 Common Values:

🔍 Collecting Tip: Look for watermark variations, color shades, and surcharge overprints (e.g., ½d on 1d).

2. King Edward VII Issues (1903–1910)

• Portrait of Edward VII in a keyplate design.
• Simple, clean designs with colonial-era layout.

3. King George V Issues (1912–1935)

• Elaborate engraved keyplate stamps with the side profile of King George V.
• Often included local motifs, such as palm trees or elephants.
• Watermarked paper (Crown CA or Multiple Script CA).

4. King George VI Issues (1937–1952)

• More variety in design:
  • Pictorial stamps featuring Sierra Leonean scenes, flora, fauna, and people
  • Continued use of monarch portrait series
• Common themes: Canoes, huts, Mount Bintumani, elephants

5. Queen Elizabeth II (1953–1961, pre-independence)

Subjects: Rice farming, local crafts, tribal dancers, landscapes

Issued colorful pictorial stamps showcasing Sierra Leone’s natural and cultural heritage

Also included definitives with the Queen’s portrait