Australian Penny Stamp Appraisal

Australian 1 Penny King George V Postage Stamp

This item is an Australian postage stamp featuring a profile portrait of King George V, likely dating from the early to mid-20th century. The stamp is predominantly red or 'rose' in color, with a central circular vignette containing the King's head facing left. Above the portrait, the word 'AUSTRALIA' is inscribed in an arch, topped by a crown design. Below the portrait, 'POSTAGE' is visible, and the denomination 'ONE PENNY' is clearly stated. The value '1' appears in two bottom corners within decorative frames. The stamp exhibits a typical perforated edge, suggesting it was part of a sheet. It bears clear evidence of postal use, indicated by the dark, possibly black, cancellation marks that heavily obscure parts of the design, particularly the upper right quadrant and portions of the King's face and collar. These cancellation marks appear to be in the form of a 'cut-to-shape' or indistinct postmark rather than a clear date or location. The overall condition shows wear consistent with being a used item; however, no significant tears or folds are immediately apparent, although the clarity is somewhat limited by the image resolution and the heavy cancellation. It is printed on white paper, which is visible at the perforated edges and where the cancellation marks are absent. The intricate details of the crown and surrounding scrollwork indicate a level of quality in its original printing.