Peru — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

Serpost (Servicios Postales del Perú) is Peru’s national postal operator. Peru’s stamp-issuing history begins in 1857 and reflects one of South America’s most historically rich nations — home to the ancient Inca Empire, Spanish viceregal capital Lima, and a vibrant modern culture. Peru’s most historically significant philatelic period is the War of the Pacific (1879–1883), when Chilean occupation forces overprinted Peruvian stamps for use in occupied territories, creating a complex and historically charged collecting area.

Notable Stamp Issues

Peru’s 1857 first stamps depicted the Pacific steamship that brought mail — a practical and historically resonant design. The 1866 Llama definitives introduced a distinctly South American subject. During the War of the Pacific, Chilean forces overprinted Peruvian stamps and issued their own stamps for occupied Peruvian territory (particularly Pisagua and Chimbote regions) — these are among South America’s most historically significant stamps. Modern Peruvian stamps feature Machu Picchu, the Nazca Lines, Lake Titicaca, and Andean condors.

Collecting Tips

Scott Latin America catalogue covers Peruvian stamps. The War of the Pacific overprints require specialist study — many forgeries exist of the rarer overprints. Peruvian classic stamps (1857–1900) are undervalued internationally. Machu Picchu stamps are popular with archaeology and UNESCO heritage thematic collectors. The Andean condor appears frequently on Peruvian stamps — popular with bird thematic collectors. Peru’s extensive postal history from the colonial Spanish Viceroyalty period produces interesting pre-stamp material.

Part of the Americas Postal Directory.