New South Wales was the first Australian colony to be established by the British. The southeastern coast of the continent was first sighted by Europeans in 1770 on the first voyage of Capt. James Cook, who took possession of what he called New South Wales in the name of King George III. Todays stamp (2 pence) is from the first issued from 1850. It shows a picture of the “Sydney Views”. Around the image is the text “Sigillum Nov. Camb. Aust.” (“Seal of New South Wales”) with the motto “Sic fortis Etruria crevit” (“thus mighty Etruria grew”) underneath.