Cape of Good Hope year 1896 12sh Revenue stamp – Victoria watermark Anchor
📜 Cape of Good Hope Revenue Stamps — Overview
The Cape of Good Hope (a British colony in what is today South Africa) issued adhesive revenue (fiscal) stamps starting in the mid-1800s through the early 1900s. These were used to show payment of taxes and duties on legal documents, bills, receipts, certificates, etc., rather than for postage.
From about 1865 until the late 1890s, a long-running Queen Victoria revenue series was in use, featuring her portrait (or earlier versions’ figures of Hope with Victoria head). These remained in use for many years because stocks lasted into the Edwardian era.
💰 The 12 Shillings (12 s) Revenue Stamp — Queen Victoria
📌 Issue & Date
- This value belongs to the Cape of Good Hope revenue series under Queen Victoria, broadly issued in the late 19th century.
- Although specific catalogues may date the printing range roughly around the 1880s–1890s, examples exist showing this 12 s value used/available in the 1890s — including listings noting it from 1896 usage or availability (as a high value in fiscal use).
🖼️ Design & Appearance
- Typically printed as a rectangular revenue/fiscal stamp.
- Features a portrait of Queen Victoria, inscribed with “Government of Cape of Good Hope — Revenue” (or similar wording depending on watermark/print run).
- This design mimics the standard Victorian fiscal series of the colony and was printed by De La Rue.
- Often printed with a Crown & Anchor watermark on the paper — collectors describe this as watermark Crown CC on many Cape revenues.
📊 Use & Purpose
- This 12 s revenue wasn’t meant for regular postage — rather it was used on legal/fiscal documents (e.g., deeds, transfers, certificates, contracts, etc.) to pay the applicable stamp duty or tax.
- Examples can be found used (cancelled or manuscript) on old documents or unused (mint) in collections.
🗃️ Catalog & Collector Notes
📌 Catalog References
- In the Barefoot revenue catalogue (a standard reference for British Commonwealth revenues), this 12 s Victorian Cape of Good Hope revenue is listed — e.g., Barefoot #125 for a used 12 shilling QV revenue stamp.
- The exact Scott or Stanley Gibbons catalogue numbers will vary by watermark, perforation and condition (mint vs used).
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