What is the Patna HG 16 handstamp?

Patna HG 16 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1847 to 1849. The "HG 16" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.

How rare is Patna HG 16?

Patna HG 16 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.

What does a Patna pre stamp cover with HG 16 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Patna is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like HG 16. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.

How do I identify or submit a Patna HG 16 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1847-49). If your cover is not already recorded, you can submit front and back photographs through the census form on this page; every submission is editor-reviewed before publication.

Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Patna HG 16

Handstamp Ex-territorial British

Date Span: 1847-49
Colour: Red
Rarity: Common
Category: Paid
Note: "Post Paid" unusual!
Catalogue: 2000 Supplement · p. 13
Figure: 16
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 15a All Patna

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Patna HG 16 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-1568

1847

1852 PATNA Paid Giles 16 (recorded 1847-49, thus much later usage) on cover to Calcutta, boxed AM, G.P.O. 1852 Feb 9 Giles G19, all on same side

Compare HG 16 across every office →

About this mark

The Patna HG 16 handstamp

Patna, the chief town in Patna District, Bengal, is situated 25°37' N and 85°10' E, on the right bank of the Ganges River, a few miles below its junction with the Son. During the eighteenth century the East India Company established a factory at Patna, and this was involved in the event of the Massacre of Patna in 1763. It later became involved during the 1857 uprising. Patna did not enter British India until 1818.

Patna HG 16 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1847 to 1849. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 2000 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 16".

A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance. On the strength of that count the mark is graded "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for patna pre stamp covers, patna postal history or "Patna HG16" material can compare HG 16 across every office or browse the rest of the Patna marks.

"Post Paid" unusual!

Frequently asked

What is the Patna HG 16 handstamp?: Patna HG 16 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Patna in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1847 to 1849. The "HG 16" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.
How rare is Patna HG 16?: Patna HG 16 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.
What does a Patna pre stamp cover with HG 16 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Patna is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like HG 16. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.
How do I identify or submit a Patna HG 16 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1847-49). If your cover is not already recorded, you can submit front and back photographs through the census form on this page; every submission is editor-reviewed before publication.

Same office

Other recorded marks at Patna

18 marks

18 other pre-1854 postal markings of Patna are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

View all Patna marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.

Also searched as: Patna HG 16, Patna HG16, Patna Giles 16, Patna handstamp, Patna pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Patna HG 16 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/patna/hg-16 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026