Mt Cook Half Penny 1898 Pictorial stamp

Print size in millimetres: 300 x 420

As described by Stamps NZ 'The stamps in this 1898 issue were selected from over 2,400 entries in a design competition with the brief to include a representation of characteristic or notable New Zealand scenery in the design and a stamp issue symbolic of the land. The quality of the winning entries were so great that a decision was made to print the issue using the more expensive recess printing method, with the anticipation that costs would be covered many times over by sales to stamp collectors.'

The half pence stamp features Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. Two alpine flowers are featured on the stamp - the Ranunculus and Celmisia.