SG94 - Four Pence of 1865
Plate 7
| Watermark | Large Garter |
| Perf | 14 |
| Put to press | 5 Jun 1865 |
| Number issued | 8,280,000 |
The Surface printed stamps were introduced in 1855 and replaced the high value (6d, 10d and 1s) embossed values of 1847-54. The low value line engraved stamps continued until 1879. The Surface printed stamps were printed by Thomas De La Rue & Co. The 4d value was first introduced to prepay letters to France and the die was engraved by Jean Ferdinand Joubert de la Ferté (1810-1884) a refugee from Napoleonic France.
The surface printed stamps of 1855-83 form four distinct families.
| No corner letters (SG 62-73) |
| Small, white corner letters (SG 75-91) |
| Large, white corner letters (SG92-137) |
| Large, coloured corner letters (SG138-163) |
SG is the Stanley Gibbons catalogue number. These stamps have different watermarks, plate numbers, colours as well as design changes. The plate number is usually incorporated into the design.