Montserrat stamp year 1876 Antigua Postage Stamps Overprinted MONTSERRAT

Montserrat stamp year 1876 Antigua Postage Stamps Overprinted MONTSERRAT MH

In 1876, the first postage stamps for Montserrat were issued. Rather than designing new stamps, the colony used existing Antigua stamps and overprinted them with the word “MONTSERRAT”. This was a common practice for British colonial territories in the 19th century.

Key Details

• Stamps Used: Antigua stamps from the reign of Queen Victoria.
• Overprint: The word “MONTSERRAT” was printed in black, often with a line through the original country name “Antigua”.
• Denominations:
  • 1 penny (1d) red
  • 6 pence (6d) green
• First Issue Date: 1876.

Description

• The overprinted stamps retained the design and color of the original Antigua issues.
• The overprint was applied locally and can be found in several varieties, including some with inverted letters or errors.
• These stamps are considered the first official postage stamps of Montserrat.

Collectibility

• These overprinted stamps are highly valued among philatelists due to their historical significance and limited production.
• Mint and used examples are sought after, with prices varying based on condition and rarity of the overprint variety.

Table: 1876 Montserrat Overprinted Stamps

Additional Notes

• The first definitive specifically designed for Montserrat were issued in 1880.
• Stamps of the Leeward Islands were also used in Montserrat from 1890 onwards.

These 1876 overprinted stamps mark the beginning of Montserrat’s postal history and remain iconic collectibles for enthusiasts of British colonial philately