The 1877 4d Provisional

In 1877 the rate for inland letters under half an ounce was reduced from 6d to 4d, necessitating the production of a new 4d value definitive. This was ordered from de la Rue but in the interim supplies of the 6d rose-carmine were surcharged with the figure 4. These stamps were not available for very long and consequently are comparatively rare, especially on cover.

Four different styles of number were used to make up the overprint and consequently here are four types of overprint.

Type A

Type A has a narrow figure 4 with serifs.

Type B

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Type B uses a sans-serif 4 with pointed top and left.

Type C

Type C uses a sans-serif font with the top and left points of the 4 truncated.

Type D

Type D is a wide figure 4 with serifs.

Forgeries

Some forgeries of this issue are illustrated here.