Germany year 1880 20pf postage stamp MNG
Germany (German Empire) issued a 20 Pfennig postage stamp in 1880 as part of its definitive series. Here’s a clear summary of that classic issue:
🇩🇪 Germany 1880 — 20 Pfennig Postage Stamp
📮 General Information
- Country: German Empire (Deutsches Reich)
- Year of Issue: 1880
- Denomination: 20 Pfennig (20 Pf.)
- Series: Definitive numeral / eagle in oval series of the Reichspost. These were standard everyday postage stamps used during that period.
🖼️ Design
- The 20 Pfennig stamp from 1880 features the numerical value “20” prominently as part of the overall design with the imperial eagle motif and the inscription Deutsche Reichspost.
- It is printed in an ultramarine (blue) color, typical for the 20 Pfennig value in this series.
📜 Context & Use
- This stamp was part of the Reichspost definitive issues printed between 1880 and 1883 with the currency name spelled “Pfennig” (no final e), replacing the earlier “Pfennige” versions used before 1880.
- The 20 Pfennig denomination was commonly used for heavier domestic letters or international mail based on the postal rates at the time.
🔎 Collecting Notes
- Collectors often refer to these stamps by their Michel catalogue numbers — the 1880 20 Pfennig typically appears as Mi Nr. 42 in classic German catalogues (sometimes listed just as the 20 Pf value for the 1880 series).
- Color: Ultramarine blue
- Format: Typographed on unwatermarked paper, typically perforated around 13½×14½ (common for the definitive issues of the era).
