The island of Antigua had its own stamps beginning in 1862 during the reign of Queen Victoria; her portrait was featured on these early stamps, a few varieties of which were issued until 1890.
From 1890 until 1903, Antigua’s own stamps were discontinued (Leeward Islands stamps were used instead). In 1903, Antiguan stamp issuance was revived.
Antigua issued its own stamps until 1981, when the last purely Antiguan stamp was issued. After 1981, stamps featured the full name of the newly-independent nation, Antigua & Barbuda. (The island of Barbuda, however, continued to issue its own Barbudan stamps without Antigua & on them.)
The modern stamps of Antigua feature a large number of special subjects, including many from pop culture — Disney characters, John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Pokemon, John Denver, and even swimsuit supermodels have appeared on Antiguan stamps, along with more traditional subject matter.
