Cuba’s Puerto Principe stamps hard to find

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

As a result of the Spanish-American War, Cuba temporarily came under United States administration from Dec. 10, 1898, to May 20, 1902. The first stamps listed in the Cuba section of the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers are called the Puerto Principe issue.

A note in the catalog reads, “In December, 1898, Puerto Principe, a provincial capital now called Camaguey, ran short of 1c, 2c, 3c, 5c and 10c stamps. The Postmaster ordered Cuban stamps to be surcharged on Dec. 19, 1898.

“The surcharging was done to horizontal strips of five stamps, so vertical pairs and blocks do not exist. Five types are found in each setting, and five printings were made. Counterfeits are plentiful.”

Because of the poor centering of the Cuban stamps, the Puerto Principe overprints (Scott 176-220) are valued in the grade of fine in the Scott U.S. Specialized catalog.

Genuine 1898 overprinted Puerto Principe stamps, whether unused or used, are all uncommon to scarce. Some are valued at $100 or less, including Scott numbers 176, 178-179, 180 and 200.

If you can find one of these less expensive stamps that is in fine grade or better, sound and competently expertized, it is well worth full Scott catalog value.

Counterfeits are ubiquitous. Examples that are tied to piece or in strips are no guarantee of authenticity. There is information online to help you identify genuine overprints, but it is not an easy task.

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