New South Wales Stamps
New South Wales is a foundational colony located in southeastern Australia, part of the broader Oceania region. As one of the earliest British colonies established in 1788, its postal history begins under direct British administration, leading to the issuance of its own stamps starting in 1850, predating the Commonwealth of Australia.
- Issued stamps
- 1850–1906
- Region
- Oceania, Australia and New Zealand
- Currency
- GBP
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- United Kingdom
About New South Wales stamps
Stamps from this period predominantly feature English text and denominations in British currency, transitioning later to Australian currency systems. The colony's postal autonomy concluded with the federation of Australia in 1901, after which postal services were absorbed into the Commonwealth system.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- NEW SOUTH WALES
- N.S.W.
- NSW
How to identify New South Wales stamps
- Look for 'NEW SOUTH WALES' or 'N.S.W.' as the country inscription, typically at the top or bottom of the design.
- Early issues (1850s) often feature Queen Victoria's portrait or the Sydney View. Denominations are in pence or shillings.
- Watermarks, especially the 'Large Star' or 'NSW' monograms, are crucial for identifying specific issues and varieties.
- Check for perforations (or lack thereof on early issues) and paper types.
Popular series
-
Sydney Views
1850-1851
The first stamps of New South Wales, featuring a detailed engraving of Sydney Cove. Known for their distinctive design and early printing variations.
-
Laureated Issues
1851-1856
Stamps depicting Queen Victoria's head wreathed in laurel, produced by Perkins, Bacon & Co. These issues are notable for their various perforations and watermarks.
-
Diademed Issues
1856-1860
Featuring Queen Victoria with a diadem, these stamps were also printed by Perkins, Bacon & Co. and are collected for their color variations and plate flaws.
-
Queen Victoria 'Large Star' Watermark Issues
1860s-1880s
A long-running series featuring Queen Victoria's portrait, distinguished by the 'Large Star' watermark. These issues offer a wide range of shades, perforations, and surcharges.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- $5–$50
- Scarce stamps
- $500–$50,000+
Common stamps are generally affordable, especially later issues. Early 'Sydney Views' and rare varieties, errors, or high denominations can fetch significant prices. Condition, cancellations, and specific plate varieties heavily influence value.
Catalogs. New South Wales stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about New South Wales stamps
New South Wales stamps are the postage stamps issued by the British colony of New South Wales, located in southeastern Australia, from 1850 until its federation into the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. They represent a significant period in Australian postal history.
The value of New South Wales stamps varies widely. While many common later issues are relatively inexpensive, early 'Sydney Views' and certain rare varieties, errors, or high-denomination stamps can be very valuable, sometimes fetching thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. Condition, rarity, and specific philatelic characteristics are key determinants of value.
You can identify New South Wales stamps by looking for the inscription 'NEW SOUTH WALES' or 'N.S.W.' on the stamp. Early issues often depict Queen Victoria or the iconic Sydney Cove. Key identification features include watermarks (such as the 'Large Star'), perforations, and design variations. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
New South Wales stamps are comprehensively listed in major international stamp catalogs. You can find them in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (Volume 2), the Michel Australia & Oceania catalog, and the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalogue (Part 1).
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