France postage stamps year 1859-65 (General Issues) 20c Used

France postage stamps year 1859-65 (General Issues) 20c Used strip of 3

The 20 centimes stamp of the 1859–1865 French Colonies General Issues (Eagle Issue) is a widely used workhorse value among France postage stamps from the era.

Key Identification & Specifications

• Design: French Imperial Eagle surmounted by a crown within a circular frame inscribed “COLONIES DE L’EMPIRE FRANÇAIS / POSTES”.
• Color: Blue on bluish or tinted paper (shades range from light blue to deep blue).
• Format: Imperforate (issued without perforations).
• Catalog References:
  • Scott Catalog: French Colonies #4
  • Yvert & Tellier: Colonies Générales #4
  • Stanley Gibbons: French Colonies SG 4

Pricing depends heavily on physical condition and margin clearance:

Condition	Catalog Value (Approx.)	Realized Retail / Market Value
Used	$10 – $20	$5 – $12
Unused / Mint Hinged (MH)	$40 – $70	$20 – $40
Mint No Gum (MNG)	$20 – $35	$10 – $20
Never Hinged (MNH)	$120 – $180+	$60 – $110