Bavaria – Scott # 16, used

Description

Bavaria – Scott #16 (1867) is a classic issue from the Kingdom of Bavaria, one of the earliest independent German states to produce its own postage. Printed in rose, this 3 kreuzer stamp features the ornate Bavarian coat of arms crowned and flanked by heraldic lions, a hallmark of Bavarian national identity. Issued imperforate and typographed on unwatermarked paper, it belongs to the Coat of Arms series that followed Bavaria’s numeral issues of the 1850s. The intricate engraving and strong color make it a favorite among 19th-century German collectors. This example is used, with a clear circular cancel and rich, original color—an attractive representative of Bavaria’s early philatelic artistry.