King Amadeo of Spain

March 1, 1871

A Royal Order dated March 21, 1865 was issued, changing the monetary unit in the Philippines to an Escudo, which was to take effect from July 1, 1866. The value of the Escudo was fixed at half that of the Peso Fuerte; or 4-Reales de Plata; or 100 Centimos de Escudo. It was, however, permitted to use the previous monetary unit in order to save any great expenses caused by the change-over.

The long-awaited new issue of stamps appeared in February 1871, with similar designs being used for Spain and her colonies. There were four values issued, with the design showing a woman's face in partial left profile, this being allegorical to the Republic.

The stamps were designed by Eugenio Julia Jover, whose initials "EJ" appear just below the base of the neck of the effigy. The stamps were typographed on thin white paper by the Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre, Madrid; issued in sheets of 100, (ten rows of ten stamps); perforated 14; and measure 18½ x 21½ mm.

An Order dated February 7th, 1871, by the Secretariat of the Chief, Civil Government of the Philippines, Manila, advised that the stamps were recently received and were authorised for release to the public. Authorities of the time state that this issue was officially released for sale in March 1871, in conjunction with the appropriate change in currency and postal rates. Covers are known tied with a Manila circular date stamp of "27 February 1871".


5-centimos de escudo, issued in varying shades of blue. (Scott #39; SG #37; Edifil #21)

10-centimos de escudo, issued in varying shades of green. (Scott #40; SG #38; Edifil #22)

20-centimos de escudo, issued in varying shades of brown. (Scott #41; SG #39; Edifil #23)

40-centimos de escudo, issued in varying shades of carmine. (Scott #42; SG #40; Edifil #24)

 

IMPERFORATED


5-centimos de escudo, imperforated in blue. (Edifil #21s)

10-centimos de escudo, imperforated in green. (Edifil #22s)

 

PROOFS


5-centimos de escudo, Imperforated proof in blue on white cardboard

10-centimos de escudo, Imperforated proof in blue on white cardboard

20-centimos de escudo, Imperforated proof in blue on white cardboard

40-centimos de escudo, Imperforated proof in blue on white cardboard

10-centimos de escudo, Perforated proof in blue on normal paper

SPECIMEN


5-centimos de escudo, overprinted "MINISTERIO DE ULTRAMAR", "MUESTRAS" in two lines in blue. (Types 1)

10-centimos de escudo, overprinted "MINISTERIO DE ULTRAMAR", "MUESTRAS" in two lines in blue. (Types 1 and 1A)

20-centimos de escudo, overprinted "MINISTERIO DE ULTRAMAR", "MUESTRAS" in two lines in blue. (Type 1)

40-centimos de escudo, overprinted "MINISTERIO DE ULTRAMAR", "MUESTRAS" in two lines in blue. (Type 1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

5-centimos de escudo, Imperforated proof in blue on white cardboard, overprinted "MINISTERIO DE ULTRAMAR", "MUESTRAS" in two lines in Blue. (Type 1)

10-centimos de escudo, Perforated proof in blue on normal paper, overprinted "MINISTERIO DE ULTRAMAR", "MUESTRAS" in two lines in blue. (Type 1)

10-centimos de escudo, Imperforated proof in blue on white cardboard, overprinted "MINISTERIO DE ULTRAMAR", "MUESTRAS" in two lines in Blue. (Type 1)

 20-centimos de escudo, Imperforated proof in blue on white cardboard, overprinted "MINISTERIO DE ULTRAMAR", "MUESTRAS" in two lines in Blue. (Type 1)

40-centimos de escudo, Imperforated proof in blue on white cardboard, overprinted "MINISTERIO DE ULTRAMAR", "MUESTRAS" in two lines in Blue. (Type 1)  

 

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