The Zürich 4 and 6 were the first postage stamps issued in continental Europe, on 1 March 1843. Both were inscribed "Zürich" at the top.

The 4-rappen

Rappen

A Rappen originally was a variant of the medieval Pfennig common to the Alemannic German regions Alsace, Sundgau and Northern Switzerland. As with other German pennies, its half-piece was a Haller, the smallest piece which was struck.Today, one-hundredth of a Swiss franc is still officially...

 stamp was also inscribed "Local-Taxe" at the bottom, since it was intended to pay for letters mailed within the city, while the 6-rappen, inscribed "Cantonal-Taxe", was for use on letters going anywhere in the canton.

See also

• Postage stamps and postal history of Switzerland
  Postage stamps and postal history of Switzerland
  This is a survey of the postage stamps and postal history of Switzerland.- Cantonal issues :The first stamps used in Switzerland were issued by the cantons of Zürich, Geneva and Basel for their own use, with the first federal issues coming several years later.- Zürich :The Zurich 4 and 6 was first...
  
  
• List of notable postage stamps