Mexican Postage Appraisal

Mexico 1940 Campeche 4th Centenary 10 Centavos Postage Stamp

This item is a vintage Mexican postage stamp, commemorating the 400th anniversary of the founding of Campeche. The stamp features a central design of a highly ornate, heraldic-looking crest or coat of arms, rendered in a deep reddish-maroon color. Surrounding the central crest, in an arc, are the words 'IV Centenario de la Fundación de Campeche' (meaning 'Fourth Centenary of the Founding of Campeche'), with the years '1540' and '1940' prominently displayed in the upper left and upper right corners, respectively, also in the same reddish-maroon ink. The denomination '10 CENT' is visible in the lower right, and 'CORREOS MEXICO' in the lower left and bottom center. There is also text 'TALLERES DE IMPRESION DE ESTAMPILLAS Y VALORES MEXICO' at the bottom, which translates to 'Print Shops of Stamps and Valuables Mexico'. The stamp is printed on off-white paper, which has significantly yellowed and appears to be heavily toned or stained, possibly due to age or environmental exposure. The paper exhibits noticeable creasing and wrinkles throughout, particularly across the center and upper portions. The edges are perforated, indicating its nature as a traditional postage stamp. A prominent black cancellation mark, or postmark, is present, arching across the lower left and central part of the stamp, obscuring some of the 'CORREOS' text and the lower portion of the crest. This cancellation mark suggests the stamp has been used. The overall condition is poor to fair due to the extensive creasing, discoloration, and the heavy postmark, which detracts from the clarity of the design elements. Despite the condition, the intricate details of the crest and the commemorative text are still discernible, reflecting a typical style for commemorative issues of its era.