New Zealand postage stamp year 1864 – 1 shilling

New Zealand 1864 year 1sh stamp – Green Unused stamp

The New Zealand 1864 One Shilling (1s) stamp is part of the famous “Chalon Head” definitive series, which featured a full-face portrait of Queen Victoria. These are classics of New Zealand and British Commonwealth philately.

Here is a detailed look at your stamp, focusing on the factors that determine its value:

🇳🇿 The 1864 1 Shilling “Chalon Head”

• Design: Known as the “Full-Face Queen” or “Chalon Head”, this portrait of Queen Victoria was based on the painting done by Alfred Chalon for her coronation in 1837.
• Denomination: One Shilling (1s).
• Colour: The 1s stamps from this period are typically found in shades of Green or Yellow-Green.
• Printer: John Davies (in New Zealand).
• Watermark: The common version has the large “Large Star” watermark (Stanley Gibbons SG 125). Some rare varieties were printed on paper watermarked ‘NZ’ (SG 115).

🔑 Key Factors for Value: Perforation and Condition

The 1864 issue is right in the transition period from imperforate (hand-cut) to perforated stamps, which is the most critical element for valuation:

1. Perforated (Comb Perf 12½) – SG 125

This is the most common variety for the 1864 date.

2. Imperforate (Very Rare)

Although the perforation machines were introduced around 1862, some Chalon Heads were still issued imperforate in this period, and these are much more valuable.

3. Watermark Rarity

The Watermarked ‘NZ’ paper variety (SG 115, imperforate) is also known to be extremely rare and highly valued, particularly in the deep green shade.