In 1843, the first standard postage stamp was issued in the Swiss canton of Geneva, which eventually received the name "Double Geneva". This is a divisible stamp, which consists of two separable parts – both can be used separately from each other to pay for postal services. The nominal value of the "Double Geneva" was 5+5 centimes, both parts contain the inscription "5 C. Port local", at the top there is a bar connecting them with the text " 10 PORT CANTONAL Cent.". In the central part of each copy is the coat of arms of the canton.
The stamp was put into circulation on September 30, 1843 and was used for 11 years. The decision to issue a divisible stamp is due to the desire to create several tariffs. To send letters within the boundaries of the city district, one of the two parts of the "Double Geneva"could be cut off. A double stamp with a total face value of 10 centimes was pasted on letters sent outside the canton. In total, 60 thousand pairs of Geneva stamps were produced, while most of them were divided immediately for local use. It is known that no more than 600 undivided "Double Genies" have been preserved.
Today, the cost of an entire divisible brand can reach 60 thousand dollars, the half is estimated at 22.5 thousand dollars. The cost of letters put up with a "Double Geneva" at auctions often exceeds 100 thousand dollars.
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