1872 Germany 5-Groschen Small Eagle (Scott #6)

The Stamp That United a Nation

The 1872 Germany 5-Groschen Small Eagle stamp (Scott #6) is one of the foundational issues of German philately. Released in the first year that a unified German Empire issued postage stamps, this deep bistre-brown stamp bearing the imperial eagle represents a pivotal moment in European history: the birth of a nation and the beginning of a postal system that would serve one of the world's great powers.

The German Empire was proclaimed on January 18, 1871, in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, following Prussia's victory in the Franco-Prussian War. The new empire brought together dozens of previously independent German states, each with their own postal systems and stamps. The 1872 stamp issue replaced this patchwork with a unified imperial postal service, and the Small Eagle design became the first visual symbol of the new German state to reach millions of citizens through everyday mail.

The Small Eagle Issue

The first stamps of the German Empire were issued on January 1, 1872, in two design variations: the Small Eagle (Kleiner Brustschild) and the Large Eagle (Grosser Brustschild). The Small Eagle issue came first and featured a smaller version of the imperial eagle on a heraldic shield.

The 5-Groschen value was printed in bistre (a warm brown-yellow tone) and served as one of the higher denominations in the series. The Groschen denomination was used in the North German states, while the Kreuzer denomination served the South German states, reflecting the regional currency differences that persisted even after unification.

The stamps were printed by the Imperial State Printing Works in Berlin using typography (letterpress) on unwatermarked paper. The design features the imperial eagle displayed on a shield, surrounded by a decorative frame with the denomination and "DEUTSCHE REICHS-POST" (German Imperial Post) text.

Design Details

The Small Eagle stamp measures approximately 18.5 x 22.5 mm and was printed in sheets. Key design elements include:

• The imperial eagle (Reichsadler) displayed on a small breast shield, giving the issue its collector name

• "DEUTSCHE REICHS-POST" arcing above the eagle

• The denomination "5 GROSCHEN" below

• A decorative border frame surrounding the central design

• Perforation gauge 13.5 x 14.5

The printing quality varies across the issue. Some examples show sharp, clear impressions while others exhibit lighter or uneven printing. The bistre color can range from yellowish-brown to deep brown depending on the ink mixture and printing pressure.

Value Guide

Used examples on cover (on the original envelope) command significant premiums, particularly with clear, dated cancellations from the early months of 1872.

Condition Grading Details

Grade A (Superb/Gem): Stamp is perfectly centered with the design equidistant from all perforations. Original gum is intact and never hinged (a significant premium for this era). Colors are fresh and vivid. Perforations are complete, evenly spaced, and intact. No thins, tears, creases, or other defects.

Grade B (Very Fine): Near-perfect centering with very slight deviation. Original gum present, may show light hinge mark (common and accepted for stamps of this era). Fresh color. Perforations complete. No significant faults.

Grade C (Fine to Fine-Very Fine): Centering is slightly off but the design is clear of the perforations on all sides. Gum may be partly disturbed or mostly present with hinge remnant. Color is good. Perforations may show a short or blunt tooth. Minor faults acceptable.

Grade D (Good to Fine): Design may touch perforations on one side. Gum may be absent or heavily disturbed. Color may show fading or discoloration. Perforations may have missing teeth. More significant faults accepted. These grades serve as space-fillers until better examples become available.

Varieties and Printings

Philatelists have identified several varieties within the 5-Groschen Small Eagle issue:

Color Varieties: The bistre ink produced various shades ranging from pale yellowish-brown to deep chocolate brown. Certain shade varieties are cataloged separately and may command premiums.

Plate Flaws: Specific plate positions show consistent flaws, including dot varieties, line breaks in the frame, and other printing anomalies. Specialized German catalogs (particularly the Michel catalog) list these in detail.

Perforation Varieties: While the standard perforation gauge is 13.5 x 14.5, slight variations exist. Compound perforations and perforation shifts are collected by specialists.

Cancellation Varieties: For used stamps, the type, location, and date of cancellation add collecting interest. Early 1872 cancellations from small towns are particularly prized. Color cancellations (blue, red) command premiums over standard black.

The Historical Significance

The 1872 German Empire stamps are more than philatelic items. They are artifacts of one of the most consequential political developments of the 19th century. The unification of Germany under Prussian leadership transformed the European balance of power and set the stage for the geopolitical dynamics of the 20th century.

The postal system was one of the first institutions to be unified under the new empire. The replacement of dozens of individual state stamp issues with a single imperial design was a powerful symbol of national unity. For ordinary Germans, the imperial eagle on their mail was a daily reminder that they were now citizens of a single nation.

The 5-Groschen denomination served practical postal needs, franking heavier letters and packages within the North German postal zones. Surviving covers with these stamps provide tangible evidence of the commerce and communication that flowed through the new nation.

Collecting Strategy

The 1872 German Small Eagle issue is a rewarding series for collectors at various levels:

For general European collectors, a nice used 5-Groschen example provides an affordable representative stamp from the founding of the German Empire.

For German specialists, building a complete set of the Small Eagle issue (Scott #1-11) in various conditions, with attention to shade varieties and cancellation types, provides years of satisfying pursuit.

For postal history collectors, covers bearing the 5-Groschen stamp, particularly with clearly dated and located cancellations, document the daily workings of the new imperial postal system.

The Michel specialized catalog for German stamps is the essential reference for serious collectors of this issue, providing detailed listings of all known varieties, shades, and plate flaws.

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