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Stamps of Sweden

Definitives of 1855-1879

Postage stamps of Sweden first appeared in 1855, during the reign of King Charles XV.

The five Coat-of-Arms type definitive stamps of Sweden shown above were issued beginning in 1855, with additional printings (shades) continuing through 1858.  These stamps are typographed on unwatermarked paper of varying thickness, and they are all perforated 14.

These stamps are all denominated in Skilling (48 Skilling = 1 Rixdaler, Before 1858).

The catalog attributes for stamps on thin paper are as follows:

• 03 S.  (1855 - Sc. #1, 1b) - Blue Green, Pale Bluish Green.
• 04 S.  (1855 - Sc. #2, 2a-b) - Light Blue, Blue, Dull Blue.
• 06 S.  (1855 - Sc. #3, 3a-b) - Gray, Gray Black, Pale Gray.
• 08 S.  (1855 - Sc. #4, 4a-d) - Red Orange, Brownish Orange, Lemon Yellow, Bright Yellow, Dull Olive Yellow.
• 24 S.  (1855 - Sc. #5, 5a) - Dull Red, Orange Red.
  
  

The catalog attributes for stamps on thick paper are as follows:

• 04 S.  (1855 - Sc. #2c-i) - Dull Blue, Bright Blue, Grayish Ultramarine, Turquoise, Greenish blue.
• 06 S.  (1858 - Sc. #3d-e) - Brownish Gray, Gray Brown.
• 08 S.  (1857 - Sc. #4e-g) - Yellow Orange, Orange yellow.
• 24 S.  (1857 - Sc. #5b-d) - Brick Red, Orange Red, Brownish Red.
  
  

It is believed that these stamps were reprinted up to three times.  The reprints were made after the 1855 stamps were withdrawn but before they were demonetized, thus postally used examples of them do exist.  Please see the specialized catalogs for details.

The seven Coat-of-Arms type definitive stamps of Sweden shown above were issued beginning in 1858, with additional printings (shades) continuing through 1872.  These stamps are also typographed on unwatermarked paper, and they are all perforated 14.

These stamps are all denominated in Öre (100 Öre = 1 Rixdaler, 1858-1874).

The catalog attributes are as follows:

• 05 Ö.  (1858 - Sc. #6) - Green, Deep Green.
• 09 Ö.  (1858 - Sc. #7) - Violet, Red Lilac, Bluish Lilac, Blue Violet.
• 12 Ö.  (1858 - Sc. #8) - Blue, Dark Greenish Blue.
• 12 Ö.  (1861 - Sc. #9) - Ultramarine.
• 24 Ö.  (1858 - Sc. #10) - Orange, Yellow, Dark Orange.
• 30 Ö.  (1858 - Sc. #11) - Brown, Dark Red Brown, Rose Red Brown.
• 50 Ö.  (1858 - Sc. #12) - Rose, Carmine.
  
  

Examples of these stamps that are perforated 13 (1885) or 13 1/2 (1963) are reprints.

The four Lion-and-Arms type definitive stamps of Sweden shown above were issued beginning in 1862, with additional printings (shades) continuing through 1869.  These stamps are typographed on unwatermarked paper, and they are all perforated 14.

These stamps are all denominated in Öre (100 Öre = 1 Rixdaler, 1858-1874).

There are two types of the 3 Öre denomination.

• Type I - The horizontal inner frame line in the upper right corner extends beyond the curved spiral.
• Type 2 - The horizontal inner frame line in the upper right corner DOES NOT extend beyond the curved spiral.
  
  

The catalog attributes are as follows:

• 03 Ö.  (1862 -Type 1 - Sc. #13b-c) - Brown, Orange Brown.
• 03 Ö.  (1863 -Type 2 - Sc. #13, 13d) - Bister Brown, Olive Gray Brown.
• 17 Ö.  (1866 - Sc. #14, 14a) - Red Violet, Bluish Red Lilac.
• 17 Ö.  (1869 - Sc. #15) - Gray.
• 20 Ö.  (1866 - Sc. #16, 16a) - Vermilion, Brownish Orange Red.
  
  

Examples of these stamps that are perforated 13 are 1855 reprints.

The twelve Numeral or Crown type definitive stamps of Sweden shown above were issued between 1872 and 1879.

These stamps are all denominated in Öre, Rixdaler, or Krona (100 Öre = 1 Krona, After 1874).

The catalog attributes for stamps that are perforated 14 are as follows:

• 03 Ö.  (1872 - Sc. #17) - Bister Brown.
• 04 Ö.  (1876 - Sc. #18) - Gray.
• 05 Ö.  (1872 - Sc. #19) - Blue Green, Emerald.
• 06 Ö.  (1872 - Sc. #20) - Violet, Dark Violet.
• 06 Ö.  (1874 - Sc. #21) - Gray.
  
• 12 Ö.  (1872 - Sc. #22) - Blue.
• 20 Ö.  (1872 - Sc. #23) - Vermilion, Dull Orange Yellow.
• 24 Ö.  (1872 - Sc. #24) - Orange, Yellow.
• 30 Ö.  (1872 - Sc. #25) - Pale Brown, Black Brown.
• 50 Ö.  (1872 - Sc. #26) - Rose, Carmine.
• 01 R.  (1872 - Sc. #27) - Bister & Blue, Bister & Ultramarine.
  
  

The catalog attributes for stamps that are perforated 13 are as follows:

• 03 Ö.  (1877 - Sc. #28) - Yellow Brown.
• 04 Ö.  (1879 - Sc. #29) - Gray.
• 05 Ö.  (1877 - Sc. #30) - Dark Green.
• 06 Ö.  (1877 - Sc. #31) - Lilac, Red Lilac.
• 12 Ö.  (1877 - Sc. #32) - Blue.
• 20 Ö.  (1877 - Sc. #33) - Vermilion.
• 24 Ö.  (1878 - Sc. #34) - Orange, Lemon Yellow.
• 30 Ö.  (1877 - Sc. #35) - Pale Brown, Black Brown.
• 50 Ö.  (1878 - Sc. #36) - Carmine.
• 01 R.  (1872 - Sc. #37) - Bister & Blue.
• 01 K.  (1878 - Sc. #38) - Bister & Blue.
  
  
  
  

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Swedish Postage Stamps

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Definitives of 1855-1879

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