We have already examined the rarest stamps from numerous countries, including Germany, France, the UK, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Israel, the Vatican, Italy, Switzerland, New Zealand, the USA, Monaco, the Falkland Islands, Greece, Austria, Luxembourg, Malta, Finland, Sweden, Poland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, and Indonesia. Today, we take a look at the rarest and most valuable Namibian (South West Africa) stamps.
Namibia is a country situated in southwestern Africa, characterized by a complex and turbulent history. Prior to the colonial era, the region was governed by various indigenous tribes and kingdoms. From 1844 to 1915, Namibia was under German colonial administration, known as German South West Africa. Following World War I and due to South Africa's status as a British dominion, Namibia fell under South African control, with administration lasting from 1915 to 1966 and military occupation continuing until Namibia achieved independence in 1990. This transition to independence was significantly influenced by the South African Border War, also referred to as the Namibian War of Independence or the Angolan Bush War, which involved conflicts in Namibia, Zambia, and Angola.
Stamps from Namibia can indeed be categorized into three primary periods, each reflecting significant historical and political changes within the region:
The inaugural stamps for Namibia, then known as German South West Africa, were issued in 1897. This year marks the beginning of Namibia's philatelic history. In this discussion, we will explore three of the most valuable stamps from this region.
King George V, overprinted in Afrikaans and English
1923 "2d Dull Purple Inverted Overprint"
South-West Africa – 1923/01/02
Denomination: 2 d - South African penny
Estimated value: 500-100 USD
The first of these three stamps is the 1923 "2d Dull Purple Inverted Overprint," which features a depiction of King George V, the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom at that time. As previously mentioned, Namibia was a British colony during this period. This particular stamp is notable for its printing error, which has made it highly sought after by collectors.
Monoplane over Windhoek & Biplane over Windhoek (series Air Post)
South West Africa 1931 Airmail Stamps
South-West Africa – 1931/03/05
Denomination: 3 d & 10d - South African penny
Estimated value: 600-900 USD
The next stamp in our discussion is also a product of the British colonial period, issued in 1931. This series consists of airmail stamps available in two denominations: 3d and 10d. The inscriptions on these stamps are presented in both English and Afrikaans, reflecting the linguistic diversity of the region during that time.
As is typical with philatelic items, the value of these stamps is largely determined by their condition; however, possessing pairs, such as those depicted in the accompanying image, can enhance their desirability and worth among collectors.
German Krone/Adler / Crown/Eagle Stamps
German South West Africa – 1897/07
3 German reichspfennig
Estimated value: around 1,000 USD
While the stamp depicted in the accompanying image may not be the most valuable in its category, it features a design that is shared with several other significant issues. This design represents the first stamps used in Namibia, known at the time as German South West Africa. The design was utilized for several years and was issued with various overprints. A wide range of denominations was printed and circulated during this period, with some stamps fetching prices of up to $1,000 or more, depending on their rarity and condition.
Today, we examined some of the most valuable Namibian / South Africa stamps. We encourage you to follow us for upcoming articles in this series, which will be published soon. In the meantime, feel free to explore our previous articles to further enrich your philatelic journey.
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