Adhesive stamps were introduced in Nova Scotia in September 1851, in denominations of 3d., 6d. and 1s.
They were recess-printed by Perkins Bacon in a diamond-format featuring the heraldic flowers of the United Kingdom and the mayflower of Nova Scotia, with the imperial crown in the centre.

They were often bisected or quartered to make up fractional amounts of postage. Examples of these bisects on cover are highly prized.

A 1d. stamp, in a square format portraying Queen Victoria, was added to the series in 1853.