The first stamps used in Puerto Rico were issues for the Spanish West Indies, for use in both Cuba and Puerto Rico, but these were not generally used in Puerto Rico until 1856. [2] [3] The first stamps inscribed "Puerto Rico" were issued in 1873. [2] [4] Postal cards for Puerto Rico were printed in Spain and sent to their colonies in 1878.

The postal history of Puerto Rico began around 1518, at least for official mail, when Spain adopted general postal regulations, although the first documentation of Spanish postal regulations specific to the Caribbean was in 1794. [1] The first postage stamps were issued 167 years ago for Puerto Rico and Cuba, in 1856.

Postage stamps just for Puerto Rico followed, and later postal cards and telegraph stamps were issued. The United States postal administration began in 1899, and the last stamps specifically for Puerto Rico were issued in 1900. They were superseded by U.S. stamps, which are still used today on the island as it remains a territory serviced by the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Puerto Rican stamps have, as one might safely assume, featured matters related to Puerto Rico, such as its places, events, works, and personalities.

A Spanish commemorative postage stamp was issued on the occasion of the four hundredth anniversary of Columbus' arrival in Puerto Rico in 1493. It was issued in 1893, when the island was still under Spanish rule. It is the only colonial-era Puerto Rican stamp that does not bear the face of the King of Spain.

Despite being from the colonial era and issued when Puerto Rico was under Spanish rule, it notably diverges from the norm by not featuring the face of the reigning King of Spain, unlike other colonial-era Puerto Rican stamps. Its departure from the standard portrayal makes it an exceptional and distinct part of Puerto Rico's philatelic history.