In 1851, the Province of Canada[a] issued the stamps of Queen Victoria.

For the stamp image, the Queen's portrait by Alfred Edward Chalon (1780–1860) was used.

In New England, one shilling meant 16 and two-thirds cents, which was equal to 10 pence.

In New York, one shilling meant 12 and a half cents equalling seven pence halfpenny.

Out of 51,000 of the 12 pence black that were printed, about 130 copies of this philatelic item are believed to exist today.