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Uruguay

FIRST STAMPS (private mail coach routes) 1 October 1856.
FIRST PERMANENT STAMPS ISSUED 1 Ju1y 1859.

CURRENCY
1856, 120 centavos = 1 real.
1859, 1000 milesimos = 100 centesimos = 1
peso.

Early attempts at colonization were frustrated by the fierce natives. The territory was disputed between Spain and Portugal until the end of the 18th century. A British expedition to the Rio de la Plata in 1806-7 weakened Spanish power but the independence of Uruguay (25 August 1825) from both Argentina and the Portuguese in Brazil was not guaranteed until 1830. The country suffered constant internal strife through the remainder of the 19th century, with civil wars in 1843- 52, 1896 and 1904.

Montevideo was a port of call on both British and French packet services to Buenos Aires and enjoyed similar facilities.

Stamps of Britain used in 1862-72 at Montevideo (oblit. C28).