Spain 6 Cuartos (1850) — First Spanish Stamp
Spain's first postage stamp was the 6 cuartos black, issued on 1 January 1850 and bearing a left-facing profile of Queen Isabella II. It is lithographed, imperforate, and printed without a watermark.
Spain 6 Cuartos (1850), 1850. Pedro Ayala. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
How to identify the 1850 6 cuartos
Look for a black stamp with a profile portrait of Queen Isabella II at the center. The inscriptions read "CORREOS" on the left, "FRANCO" on the right, "6 CUARTOS" across the top, and the date "1850" at the bottom.
The stamp is lithographed, imperforate (no perforations — edges were separated with scissors), and has no watermark. Two paper varieties exist, a thin paper and a thick paper, which collectors distinguish by feel and translucency. Genuine used copies are frequently found with the "araña" (spider) cancel and later dated cancellations.
History
Spain joined the postal-reform movement begun by Britain's Penny Black, introducing adhesive stamps on 1 January 1850. The first set ranged from the 6 cuartos up to the 10 reales, all carrying the portrait of the reigning queen, Isabella II.
The 6 cuartos was the everyday workhorse value and is the most commonly encountered stamp of the issue. A separate and famous Spanish rarity, the 2 reales colour error, belongs to the following 1851 issue and should not be confused with this 1850 first stamp.
Estimated value
Values vary widely: used examples are collectible and generally attainable, while sound four-margin copies, the scarcer reales values, and fine genuine cancels command significantly more. Reprints and forgeries exist, so condition and expertization matter.
Free · iOS & Android
Identify your own stamps in seconds
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the first Spanish stamp?
The first postage stamp of Spain was the 6 cuartos black, issued on 1 January 1850. It launched Spain's first definitive set, which ran from 6 cuartos to 10 reales.
Who is on the 1850 Spanish stamp?
It depicts Queen Isabella II, shown in left-facing profile, who reigned over Spain at the time the first stamps were issued.
How do I identify the 6 cuartos 1850?
Check for a black, lithographed, imperforate stamp with no watermark, bearing the profile of Isabella II and inscribed CORREOS (left), FRANCO (right), 6 CUARTOS (top), and 1850 (bottom). Thin and thick paper varieties exist.
How much is the first Spanish stamp worth?
Used examples of the 6 cuartos are collectible and reasonably attainable, while sound four-margin copies, the rarer reales values, and fine cancels are worth considerably more. Because reprints and forgeries exist, value depends on authenticity and condition.
Is this the famous 2-reales error?
No. The celebrated Spanish 2 reales colour error is from the 1851 issue. This page is about the 1850 6 cuartos, Spain's actual first stamp.