Montenegro year 1902 – Prince Nicholas I 5 Krone MNH

Montenegro issued its first postage stamps in 1874 during the reign of Prince Nicholas I. Here are some key details about these early Montenegrin stamps:

• The first issue in 1874 consisted of six stamps with denominations ranging from 2 novčića to 25 novčića. They depicted Prince Nicholas I’s coat of arms.
• In 1879, a new definitive series was released showing Prince Nicholas I’s portrait on most values. These remained in use for many years with occasional redesigns until Montenegro’s annexation by Serbia in 1921.
• The 1895 issue featured different designs including the Prince’s monogram and allegories.
• In 1905, a pictorial issue depicted scenes from Montenegro like Mount Lovćen.
• From 1907-1913, numerous commemorative and pictorial stamps were issued under Prince Nicholas I featuring his portrait, historical figures, landscapes and other Montenegrin themes.
• Most of the stamps until 1921 were typographed, with some later commemorative issues being engraved.
• The stamps were printed in Vienna, Serbia and locally in Montenegro at different points.

The Prince Nicholas I era stamps of Montenegro are historically significant and avidly collected today, representing the final decades of the Principality’s independence before joining the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes in 1921.