This is a Penny Red from Great Britain, issued between 1854–1864. It features the classic left-facing profile of Queen Victoria, engraved by Charles Heath and his associates, and printed in line-engraved technique. The stamp carries the value “ONE PENNY” along the lower margin.

This particular example has the check letters K–E in the lower corners, which helped prevent forgery and identify individual plate positions. The heavy black barred numeral cancellation, typical of the period, obscures much of the portrait.

The Penny Red succeeded the Penny Black, offering better visibility of cancellations. It was produced from numerous plates, making plate numbers and cancellations key factors for collectors. Well-centered and lightly cancelled examples are especially prized.