Issued in Malta on July 4, 1902, this fine definitive stamp represents the late Victorian period and the transition of colonial postal systems at the turn of the 20th century. Originally printed as the Two and a Half Pence in dull blue by the renowned firm De La Rue & Co., the issue was subsequently overprinted “One Penny” to meet local postal demands, reflecting both economic necessity and the practical adaptability of colonial administrations. The stamp features the crowned profile of Queen Victoria, one of the most iconic images in philately, set within an oval frame and flanked by four Maltese crosses, underlining the island’s heritage and strategic importance in the Mediterranean. Printed by typography on unwatermarked paper bearing the CA Crown watermark, the stamp is perforated 14 (comb) and catalogued under Stanley Gibbons MT 36 and Scott MT 20. This unused mint never hinged example, in crisp matt blue with clear overprint, exemplifies the blend of imperial symbolism and practical postal history that makes these early Maltese issues highly collectible. Comparable examples have appeared in European and British auctions where demand for early overprints from colonial territories remains strong. Estimate "$50 – 70".