2s 6d Stamp Appraisal

Great Britain Queen Victoria 2s 6d Lilac Postage and Revenue Stamp

This is a used British postage stamp featuring the profile of Queen Victoria, specifically the 2 shillings and 6 pence denomination from the 1883-1884 Unified Series. The stamp is printed in a dull lilac or purple ink on white paper, featuring a characteristic rectangular frame with check letters 'F-L' and 'L-F' in the corners. The design includes a central portrait within a circular frame, flanked by vertical denominations '2/6'. The physical condition of this specimen shows signs of heavy usage and significant wear: it bears multiple cancellations, including a large blue crayon or pencil 'X' mark and a partial black circular date stamp which appears to be a fiscal or telegraphic cancellation rather than postal. The perforations are present but show some irregularities and blunting along the edges. There is visible toning and light staining on the paper surface, likely due to age and handling. This specific issue (SG 175 or 178 variants) represents a high-value Victorian era definitive, though its value is heavily influenced by the nature of its heavy fiscal cancellation as opposed to a clean postal strike.