Postage Stamps and Postal History of Uruguay: A Comprehensive Guide

Uruguay's postal history is a treasure trove of fascinating stories and intriguing stamps.

The first postage stamps of Uruguay were issued in 1856, featuring a portrait of José Gervasio Artigas, a national hero.

The country's postal system was initially managed by the British, who introduced the first postage stamps and postal rates in 1856.

Uruguay's first stamp, the 1 peso stamp, is highly sought after by collectors due to its rarity.

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Uruguay's Definitive Stamps have a rich history, with the first regular series issued on 1 July 1859. This marked the beginning of a long line of definitive stamp series.

The first definitive stamps were designed to resemble the second private 'Sol de Montevideo' issue. The stamps were released with various designs and postal rates.

The 180c green, 1859 issue, is an example of an unused definitive stamp from this early series. The 60c brown lilac, 1860 issue, is another example of a definitive stamp from this period.

Changes in currency were also reflected on the stamps, with the introduction of the silver peso system in 1862. The 12 centesimos blue, 1864 issue, features a fancy cancel from Montevideo.

Some notable definitive stamps include the 7 centesimos blue, 1881 issue, which depicts Joaquín Suárez. The 2p carmine, 1894, is another example of a definitive stamp from this period.

Here are some key dates for Uruguay's Definitive Stamps:

Uruguay has released a wide variety of commemorative postage stamps over the years. These stamps have been issued to mark notable events and anniversaries in the country's history.

One notable example is the set of three stamps issued on July 18, 1896, to commemorate the unveiling of a monument in Bella Vista, Montevideo, to former President Joaquín Suárez. This set was engraved by Waterlow and Sons in London.

More than 2,200 different commemorative stamps have been issued in Uruguay up to 2007.

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Uruguay's postal history has had its fair share of special issues. The country's first postage stamp, issued in 1856, featured a portrait of Juan Antonio Lavalleja, a national hero.

One notable special issue was the 1910-1911 series, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Uruguayan War of Independence. The stamps in this series featured iconic buildings and monuments from Montevideo.

The 1950s saw a number of special issues, including a series of stamps honoring Uruguay's centennial anniversary of independence in 1952.

Overprints were a common solution when Uruguay's postal authorities needed to update their stamps quickly. In 1865, a new set of stamps was ordered from London, but it didn't arrive in time, so the 1864 issue was overprinted with the new denominations.

The first overprinted stamp set was a result of this emergency measure. This was not the only time stamps were overprinted due to supply problems or printing errors.

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In the 19th century, Uruguay had 10 overprint issues. The practice continued into the next century, with twice as many issues.

Here are some specific examples of overprinted stamps:

Overprints were also used to indicate special purposes, such as airmail or official mail.

Uruguay 1946 Mail Coach Stamp is a rare find. The stamp, issued on December 23, 1946, features a Mail Coach design with a team of horses and mounted onlookers.

The 5-peso red and olive brown stamp is technically outside of the classic period, but its design and production values make it attractive to classic stamp collectors.

Its value is relatively low, with a mint never-hinged condition catalog value of $12 and used condition value of $5, according to the 2019 Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue.

This stamp is seldom encountered in online auctions or price lists, making it a great buy at full catalog value or a bit more for an example without faults and in very fine grade.

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Uruguay's postal infrastructure has a long history dating back to 1856 when the first postal law was established.

The country's first postal office was opened in Montevideo, the capital city, and it quickly expanded to other major towns and cities.

The postal infrastructure in Uruguay has undergone significant changes over the years, with the introduction of new technologies and services.

In 1884, the first postal stamp was issued, featuring the image of the Uruguayan coat of arms.

The stamp was used to send mail between Montevideo and other parts of the country, marking an important milestone in Uruguay's postal history.

Today, Uruguay's postal infrastructure is modern and efficient, with a network of post offices and delivery services that cover the entire country.

The postal service in Uruguay is known for its reliability and speed, with mail delivered quickly and efficiently to even the most remote areas.

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Jose Gervasio Artigas Arnal is widely celebrated as a national hero in Uruguay, often regarded as the "father of Uruguayan nationhood."

The 7-centavo stamp in Uruguay's 1884 series features Artigas, making him one of the only people depicted in the entire series.

Maximo Benito Santos Barbosa served as president of Uruguay from 1882 to 1886 and is honored on the 10c stamp issued during that time.