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Mexico Stamps

Definitives of 1864-1866

Definitive Mexico stamps, during the very brief period from 1864 to 1866, bear witness to the establishment of a European-backed monarchy, giving birth to the short-lived "Mexican Empire".

In 1858, Benito Juarez (1806-1872), of Zapotec descent, was elected as the President of Mexico.  Though very popular with most of the Mexican population, his ethnic origin and his liberal views were not acceptable to the conservative Spanish aristocracy of Mexico. 

A group of Mexican "monarchists" appealed to the crowned heads of Europe for assistance, and in January 1862, King Napoleon III of France ordered the invasion of Mexico.  Mexico City was taken in July 1863, and Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph of Austria was later designated as the Emperor of Mexico. 

The monarchy was never recognized as the legitimate government of Mexico by most of the international community.  Under increasing international pressure, the French withdrew their troops in February 1867, and afterwards, the monarchy quickly collapsed.

The eight definitive Mexico stamps shown above were issued beginning in 1864.  The stamps are engraved on white paper, and they are imperforate.

The common design features the Imperial Arms of Mexico (with the eagle wearing a crown).  On these stamps, as well as later definitive stamp issues, the name of the country has been changed from "Mejico" to "Mexico".

The stamps sent to the postal districts were overprinted, as before.  There are, however, five different overprint combinations for this series, which are as follows:

1. District name only.
2. District name, consignment number, and "1864" in large figures.
3. District name, consignment number, and "1864" in small figures.
4. District name, consignment number, and "1865".
5. District name, consignment number, and "1866".
   
   

The Scott catalog attributes are as follows:

• 03 C.  (1864 - Normal Paper - Sc. #18) - Brown.
• 03 C.  (1864 - Laid Paper - Sc. #18b) - Brown.
• 1/2 R.  (1864 - Sc. #19) - Brown.
• 1/2 R.  (1864 - Sc. #20) - Lilac, Gray, Gray Lilac.
• 01 R.  (1864 - Sc. #21) - Blue.
• 01 R.  (1864 - Sc. #22) - Ultramarine.
• 02 R.  (1864 - Sc. #23) - Orange.
• 04 R.  (1864 - Sc. #24) - Green.
• 04 R.  (1864 - Sc. #25) - Red.
  
  

Mint condition stamps without overprints, with only a couple rare exceptions, are remainders, and they have very little market value.

As with earlier classical Mexican definitive stamps, reprints and forgeries are abundant.


I found the nine Maximilian stamp images shown below at various locations on the internet.  With this in mind, these Mexico stamp images may or may not be properly attributed.  Thus, the markings on the stamps may not correlate exactly to the text descriptions below the images.

The Maximilian issues, along with the various district overprints, are a very complex subject.  I have provided a link to a Mexican website (now in English) that explains the district name, lot number, and date overprints of the lithographed and engraved printings of the Maximilian stamps described below.  The stamp images on the index page show excellent examples of the periods after the value numerals in the design.

Maximilian I of Mexico - Philatelic Collection

The five definitive Mexico stamps shown above were issued in 1866.  They are lithographed on white paper, and they are imperforate. 
These lithographed printings have a "round period" after the value numerals.

The common design features a left-facing portrait of Emperor Maximilian I.

The Scott catalog attributes, for the lithographed printings, are as follows:

• 07 C.  (1866 - Sc. #26) - Lilac Gray, Deep Gray.
• 13 C.  (1866 - Sc. #27) - Blue, Cobalt Blue.
• 25 C.  (1866 - Sc. #28) - Buff.
• 25 C.  (1866 - Sc. #29) - Orange, Red Orange, Red Brown, Brown.
• 50 C.  (1866 - Sc. #30) - Green.
  
  
  

The four Emperor Maximilian I definitive stamps shown above were also issued in 1866.  They are engraved on white paper, and they are also imperforate.  These engraved printings have a "square period" after the value numerals.

The Scott catalog attributes, for the engraved printings, are as follows:

• 07 C.  (1866 - Sc. #31) - Lilac.
• 13 C.  (1866 - Sc. #32) - Blue.
• 25 C.  (1866 - Sc. #33) - Orange Brown.
• 50 C.  (1866 - Sc. #34) - Green.
  
  

Mint condition Emperor Maximilian I stamps without overprints, with only a couple rare exceptions, are remainders, and they have very little market value.  The 50 C. denomination engraved stamp shown above is a good example.  In the 2016 Scott catalog, the mint stamp, with the overprint, catalogs $700.00.  The mint stamp, without the overprint (shown above), catalogs $2.50!

eBay Auction and Store Links
Mexico Stamps

The following link features category-focused affiliated seller listings on the US eBay site. They may enable visitors to shop for and to buy specific items for the particular collecting subject they've just read about. 

The affiliated eBay seller auction lots provided by eBay, Inc. are not the responsibility of the management of this website.  On high priced material, make sure the lots you are buying are properly authenticated or certified.

Return to Mexico Stamps from
Definitives of 1864-1866

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