Great Britain – Scott # 78, used

Description

Issued in 1872, Great Britain Scott #78 is the ½d pale green Queen Victoria surface-printed definitive, part of the long-running Victorian line-engraved and surface-printed postage series that formed the backbone of British postal service in the late 19th century. Low-denomination values such as this were intended primarily for printed matter and newspaper rates, making them among the most widely used stamps of the era.

The design features the familiar left-facing profile of Queen Victoria within a finely ornamented oval frame bearing the inscription POSTAGE HALF PENNY. Printed in pale green by surface printing, the stamp reflects the transition away from earlier line-engraved issues toward higher-volume production methods needed to support expanding postal use throughout Britain and the Empire.

This issue exists with multiple plate varieties and subtle shade differences, offering additional depth for specialists, while remaining an accessible classic for general collectors. Used examples are especially representative of genuine Victorian postal history, as these stamps saw heavy circulation.

This example is offered used, with a clear cancellation, intact perforations, and sound overall appearance for the issue. A solid representative of early British definitives, well suited to classic Great Britain collections or Victorian-era studies.

Country: Great Britain
Year of Issue: 1872
Scott Number: 78
Denomination: ½d
Condition: Used