How scarce is the Sirce HG 2 mark on this cover?

The census grades Sirce HG 2 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1858–1860.

When was COV-3695 posted?

COV-3695 is dated 15 January 1860, within the recorded period of use of Sirce HG 2 (1858–1860).

COV-3695

15 January 1860 Sirce Cover

Back to census|Sirce HG 2 · 2 covers recorded

← COV-319

Pre-stamp cover of India — 15 January 1860, Sirce HG 2 handstruck folded letter (COV-3695) — front

Pre-stamp cover of India — Sirce HG 2, back (COV-3695) — back

Pre-stamp cover of India — Sirce HG 2, detail (COV-3695) — detail

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Sephils

Date

15 January 1860

Description

East India 1860 postal history letter sheet from Tanjore to Mangalore redirected to Sirce, with Rare reversed "C" cancellation, franked with 1/2a blue stamp, cancelled by diamond of dots "144" variety, with transit/arrival markings

Auction

Sephils

Lot 0043, (1 Aug 2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Sirce

1 mark

One other pre-1854 postal marking of Sirce is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.

Sirce HG 1handstampRed1841–1844

View all Sirce marks and postal history →

About this Sirce pre stamp cover

COV-3695 is a Sirce pre stamp cover of 15 January 1860 bearing the Sirce HG 2 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Sirce postal history — the office known today as Sirsi, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils lot 0043 (1 Aug 2026).

3 images of COV-3695 are recorded (front, back, detail); the Sirce HG 2 mark itself is recorded in use 1858–1860.

Questions about COV-3695

What is COV-3695?: COV-3695 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Sirce, Madras Presidency of 15 January 1860, bearing the Sirce HG 2 handstamp in black. East India 1860 postal history letter sheet from Tanjore to Mangalore redirected to Sirce, with Rare reversed "C" cancellation, franked with 1/2a blue stamp, cancelled by diamond of dots "144" variety, with transit/arrival markings
How scarce is the Sirce HG 2 mark on this cover?: The census grades Sirce HG 2 as scarce, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1858–1860.
What is the provenance of COV-3695?: Its recorded auction history runs through Sephils lot 0043 (1 Aug 2026).
When was COV-3695 posted?: COV-3695 is dated 15 January 1860, within the recorded period of use of Sirce HG 2 (1858–1860).

About this record

This 15 January 1860 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Sirce HG 2 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Scarce” in this census — one of 2 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Sephils, lot 0043, (1 Aug 2026).