Ceylon postage stamp QV year 1872-80 2c pale brown SG121 Cat £35 MH
The Ceylon 1872–80 Queen Victoria 2c Pale Brown (SG 121) represents a major turning point in the island’s philatelic history. This issue marks Ceylon’s transition from the old British currency system (pence and shillings) to the decimal system (cents and rupees), which was officially introduced on January 1, 1872.
Because the printing contract shifted completely away from Perkins, Bacon & Co., these stamps feature a completely new design aesthetic and production methodology.
Technical Profile & Specifications
| Attribute | Details |
| Country | Ceylon (British Colony) |
| Issue Period | 1872–1880 |
| Denomination | 2 Cents (2c) |
| Color Variety | Pale Brown |
| Catalog Reference | Stanley Gibbons: SG 121 (Scott: #64) |
| Printer | De La Rue & Co. |
| Printing Process | Surface-printed (Typography) |
| Watermark | Crown CC (Crown over Colony Club) |
| Perforation | 14 |
Philatelic Context & Identification Notes
- The Design Change: Unlike the deeply textured, line-engraved Perkins Bacon stamps of the 1850s and 60s, De La Rue utilized surface printing. This results in a flatter, sharper, and more geometric look, featuring Queen Victoria’s profile within a distinct octagonal frame.
- The Paper & Watermark: SG 121 is printed exclusively on paper featuring the Crown CC watermark. If you ever run across a 2c pale brown that looks identical but carries a Crown CA (Crown over Crown Agents) watermark, you are looking at the later 1882 reissue (SG 145).
- Condition & Valuation: Your note of Mint at £35 aligns well with standard catalog listings for an example with original gum. Because these early surface-printed issues are highly susceptible to “toning” (foxing or brown spots) and gum shrinkage due to the tropical climate of Ceylon, finding a mint example with pristine, unblemished paper and clean perforation tips is a great asset for a classic Commonwealth collection.
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