The Dull Rose is a Ceylonese (modern-day Sri Lanka) postage stamp that is considered to be the rarest and most valuable stamp issued in the country.[1][2] 7000 stamps were issued on 23 April 1859, bearing a face value of four pence.[2][3] Three others, the 8 pence (chocolate brown), 1 shilling & 9 pence (green), and 2 shilling & 9 pence were issued on the same date as part of a series.[2] These featured a left-facing depiction of a young Queen Victoria in an octagonal framing.[1][2]
| Dull Rose | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country of production | Ceylon |
| Date of production | 23 April 1859 |
| Printer | Perkins, Bacon & Co |
| Perforation | No |
| Depicts | Queen Victoria |
| Notability | Most valuable stamp issued in Sri Lanka |
| Face value | 4d |
| Estimated value | £70,000–100,000 (mint condition) £4,500 (used) |
A mint condition original issue Dull Rose was sold for $71,875 at a Cherrystone Philatelic Auction in January 2008.[2] Very few mint condition stamps (about 10) are known to be in existence, valued at £70,000–100,000, while used ones are valued at about £4,500.[2][3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "A glimpse of the earliest Ceylon stamps". Daily Financial Times. ft.lk. 29 April 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f Ellawela, Dulshan (25 April 2018). "159th Anniversary of Ceylon's most Valuable Stamp, the "Dull Rose"". Daily Mirror. dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
- ^ a b Daniel, Shannine. "Treasured Stamps From Colonial Ceylon". Roar.lk. Retrieved 3 June 2018.