What is the Goa FP 5 handstamp?

Goa FP 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Goa in the Goa (Portuguese India), British India, recorded in use around 1845. The "FP 5" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in black.

How rare is Goa FP 5?

Goa FP 5 has 1 example recorded 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 Goa pre stamp cover with FP 5 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Goa is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like FP 5. 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 Goa FP 5 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1845). 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.

Goa (Portuguese India) · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Goa FP 5

Handstamp

Colour & date: Black1845
Rarity: 1 example recorded
Note: Small "GOA" Handstamp
Figure: FP5
Submitted by: Andrew Titley

← FP 4 All Goa FP 6 →

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Goa FP 5 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-3178

18 August 1845

PORTUGUESE INDIA, Small "P.P. GOA" Handstamp. Faintly struck in red on back of folded letter datelined New Goa Aug. 18, 1845, addressed to Lisbon, Portugal, blue "Por Alexandria" handstamp and "120" rate handstamp, Lisbon (Oct. 11) arrival backstamp, Fine and exceptionally rare, despite the light strike, this is the only recorded example of the small sized "P.P. GOA" handstamp

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About this mark

The Goa FP 5 handstamp

Goa FP 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Goa in the Goa (Portuguese India), British India, recorded in use around 1845. Known strikes are in black. Its "FP 5" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.

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 "1 example recorded" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for goa pre stamp covers, goa postal history or "Goa FP5" material can compare FP 5 across every office or browse the rest of the Goa marks.

Small "GOA" Handstamp

Frequently asked

What is the Goa FP 5 handstamp?: Goa FP 5 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Goa in the Goa (Portuguese India), British India, recorded in use around 1845. The "FP 5" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in black.
How rare is Goa FP 5?: Goa FP 5 has 1 example recorded 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 Goa pre stamp cover with FP 5 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Goa is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like FP 5. 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 Goa FP 5 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1845). 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 Goa

14 marks

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

View all Goa 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: Goa FP 5, Goa FP5, Goa Giles FP 5, Goa handstamp, Goa pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Goa FP 5 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/goa/goa/fp-5 (accessed 8 September 2026).

Updated: 8 Sept 2026