And now it seems remnants of those days are worth something.
Back in 1858, an unknown person tried to send a letter from Dunedin to a Mr James Crawford, in Edinburgh, Scotland — a letter which used to cost half a shilling to post.
But in 1858, there was a shortage of half shilling (6d) stamps in Dunedin, so the canny postmaster decided to cut a 1shilling (1s) stamp in half and use one of the halves to send the letter to Edinburgh.
Now, the bisected and very rare 1s full-face Queen Victoria stamp is up for auction at Mowbray Collectables, in Wellington, with an estimated value of $35,000.
Mowbray Collectables managing director David Galt said the letter it was attached to was damaged during World War 2 in the German blitz, and had rust spots as a result of water damage.
"But it still estimates at $35,000."
Other Otago-related items up for auction included an 1850s £5 unissued specimen banknote from the Otago Banking Company (estimated at $2500), and a rare private penny coin of 1857 of Otago merchant Andrew S. Wilson (estimated at $2000).
He said they were among $1.7million worth of rare and valuable items up for auction on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"The combination of rare stamps on offer is almost never seen."
The highest valued item up for auction is a 1925 12s 6d stamp used for paying stamp duty tax, showing Queen Victoria.
It is one of only 10 known to be in existence and is estimated to be worth $75,000.
"Even scarcer is a 1949 threepence stamp for the cancelled New Zealand visit of King Charles’ grandfather, George VI, showing the ship the king was to travel on.
"It is one of just seven to survive, and is estimated at $65,000."
