New Zealand postage stamp year 1882-1900 – 1 Shilling Unused MH SG.245 £ 120 / brownish red
That is a classic New Zealand stamp, as the period from 1882 to 1900 covers the famous Queen Victoria Second Side-Face Issue, which is rich in varieties due to changes in paper, watermark, and perforation.
The New Zealand 1 Shilling stamp (1s.) from this period has the following general characteristics:
👑 New Zealand 1882-1900 1 Shilling
| Feature | Detail |
| Series Name | Queen Victoria Second Side-Face Issue (also known as the “Postage and Revenue” series) |
| Monarch | Queen Victoria |
| Denomination | 1 Shilling (1s.) |
| Design | Side-profile portrait of Queen Victoria, generally based on the 1874 issue. The key difference is the inscription: “POSTAGE AND REVENUE.” |
| Color | Chestnut, Red-Brown, or Brownish-Red |
| Watermark | “NZ and Star” (various sizes and orientations exist) |
| Perforation | Various (e.g., $12 \times 11\frac{1}{2}$, Perf 10, Perf 11) |
🔍 Key Factors Affecting Value
The value of this stamp depends heavily on three key factors, which determined the specific catalog number (e.g., Stanley Gibbons N° 226 or 245):
1. Color/Shade
The color is often described as Chestnut or Red-Brown. Subtle differences in the printing shade can lead to different catalog listings and values.
2. Perforation
The stamps in this series were produced with several different perforation gauges over the years, including comb-perforations (like $12 \times 11\frac{1}{2}$) and line-perforations (like Perf 10 or Perf 11). The specific perforation is critical for identification.
3. Watermark
The “NZ and Star” watermark was used, but the distance between the elements changed (e.g., 6mm, 7mm, or 4mm spacing), which creates distinct varieties.
📜 Historical Context
This issue is historically significant because it was the first series in New Zealand to be officially designated for both postal and revenue purposes (Stamp Duty). This explains the “POSTAGE AND REVENUE” inscription.
