Adhesive stamps were adopted by Venezuela in 1859. The first issue, with the coat of arms, being lithographed by an unidentified American printer.

In 1863 F. Hernadez of Caracas lithographed a series for the Venezuelan Federation, with an eagle and the stars representing the states of the federation.

The colour of the ½ real was changed from red to yellow in 1865 and, at the same time, the lettering of the inscription was greatly improved.