In 1899, a group of three-cent stamps were surcharged "Two cents" when the first-class postage rates changed a penny downwards at the end of 1898. These overprinted stamps are not scarce. In 1898, the set was modified slightly, and numerals, indicating the value of the stamp, were placed in the bottom corners so as to make the values of the stamps easier to read for buys postal clerks and the French-speaking patrons of the Canadian post. The set was expanded to include a 20-cent value.
In recent years, as topical or thematic collecting has become increasingly popular, so has one of Canada's most interesting stamps. It is the issue known as the Imperial Penny Postage, put out after the Imperial Postal Conference of 1898 when a number of members of the British Commonwealth took the bold step of lowering their postage rates to 1 penny (British), which was 2 Canadian cents. The rate was to take effect on Christmas Day 1898, and a new stamp was prepared to commemorate the change. The stamp marked the day of the change, "Xmas 1898," and showed a map of the British Empire. The black part of the stamp is engraved, and the colors, lavender and carmine, and blue and carmine on the two different varieties, are printed by topography (a process similar to lithography). As a Christmas topical, it is the first ever. As a history of postage topic, it is an important issue. And it is one of Canada's most beautiful stamps. The price, especially for attractive examples, is surprisingly reasonable.