Comoros – Scott # J3

Description

This striking Comoros postage due issue, Scott #J3, features a beautifully engraved depiction of the Coelacanth—the prehistoric deep-sea fish once believed extinct until its dramatic rediscovery in 1938 near the Comoro Islands.

Issued by the Archipel des Comores, this 5-franc timbre taxe presents the coelacanth in rich detail, with bold vertical country inscriptions and the classic R.F. (République Française) designation reflecting the islands’ status as a French overseas territory at the time.

This example is Mint Never Hinged, with full original gum, excellent centering, and strong color—an especially desirable state for early Comoros postage dues, which are often found with faults or heavy cancels.

A standout item for collectors of Comoros, French colonial issues, postage dues, or marine life on stamps—especially the iconic and scientifically significant coelacanth.