Canada – Newfoundland stamp year 1880-96 2 c. Fish

Canada – Newfoundland stamp year 1880-96 2 c. Fish MH

During the 1880–1896 definitive period of the colony of Newfoundland (before it joined Canada), three distinct varieties of the 2¢ Codfish stamp were engraved and printed by the British American Bank Note Company.

Because the cod fishery was the cornerstone of Newfoundland’s economy, this iconic design—originally debuted in 1865—was continually re-released in different colors during these years. The designer famously made an error by omitting the distinct split or fork in the cod’s tail.

Here is a breakdown of the three main Scott Catalog listings for the 2¢ Codfish stamp issued in that exact date range:

The 1880–1896 2¢ Codfish Varieties

*Note: Value heavily depends on centering, cancellation type, and the presence/condition of original gum (for mint copies).

Key Things to Check for Collectors

• Color Identification: Distinguishing between the 1880 Yellow Green (#46) and the 1896 Green (#47) can sometimes be tricky under poor lighting. Placing them next to known stamps from the same years helps verify the shade. The 1896 issue tends to have a deeper, richer green tone.
• Earlier Look-alikes: Make sure your stamp isn’t the 1865/1870 issue (Scott #24). The easiest way to tell the difference is the perforation or separation style: the earlier 1870s variants were often rouletted (perforations made by small slits rather than punched round holes), whereas the 1880–1896 printings are cleanly perforated 12.