In 1905, Reichspost continued the use of the iconic Germania profile, but began printing stamps on watermarked paper for added security. The repeating watermark pattern is generally referred to as lozenges. In 1916 a variation of Germania was introduced with new denominations, new colors and a plain white background rather than the background shaded with lines seen in the previous designs.
The Germania stamps produced between 1905 and 1913 are called the Peacetime printings, and the stamps produced in the series between 1915 and 1919 are called the War printings. The distinctions between Peacetime and War printings are mostly a matter of degree. Peacetime printings are brighter and sharper, and printed on better quality paper. War printings in comparison, are dull and coarse in appearance.
See Overview of the Germania Series for more additional information on the series.
Typograph. Lozenge Watermark. Perforated 14.
Denom. | Description | Mint | Used |
2 pfennig | grey - type 18 | $1.00 | $3.00 |
3 pfennig | dark ochre - type 18 | $1.25 | $1.40 |
5 pfennig | dark green - type 18 | $1.75 | $1.40 |
5 pfennig | emerald green - type 18 | $42.00 | $14.00 |
10 pfennig | rose-red - type 18 | $13.25 | $1.40 |
10 pfennig | red - type 18 | $3.35 | $1.40 |
10 pfennig | carmine - type 18 | $155.00 | $50.00 |
10 pfennig | dark pink red - type 18 | $210.00 | $2,450.00 |
20 pfennig | ultramarine - type 18 | $14.00 | $1.40 |
20 pfennig | violet ultramarine - type 18 | $315.00 | $4.25 |
25 pfennig | orange and black on yellow paper - type 18 | $45.00 | $2.25 |
30 pfennig | orange and black on pale yellow paper - type 18 | $22.50 | $2.25 |
30 pfennig | orange and black on yellow orange paper - type 18 | $280.00 | $75.00 |
40 pfennig | lake and black - type 18 | $50.00 | $2.25 |
50 pfennig | purple and black on pale yellow paper - type 18 | $75.00 | $2.50 |
50 pfennig | purple and black on yellow orange paper - type 18 | $420.00 | $75.00 |
60 pfennig | magenta - type 18 | $195.00 | $19.00 |
60 pfennig | violet - type 18 | $1,050.00 | $925.00 |
80 pfennig | lake and black on rose paper - type 18 | $22.00 | $3.15 |
Typograph. Lozenge Watermark. Perforated 14.25 x 14.75 (26 x 17 perforation holes).
Denom. | Description | Mint | Used |
1 Mark | carmine red - type 19 | $87.50 | $2.80 |
2 Mark | bright blue - type 23 | $75.00 | $3.50 |
3 Mark | grey violet - type 21 | $250.00 | $65.00 |
3 Mark | brown violet - type 21 | $55.00 | $31.50 |
5 Mark | blackish green and carmine - type 22 | $55.00 | $26.50 |
Typograph. Lozenge Watermark. Perforated 14
Denom. | Description | Mint | Used |
3 pfennig | brown - type 18 | $0.80 | $1.40 |
3 pfennig | dark brown - type 18 | $21.00 | $115.00 |
5 pfennig | green - type 18 | $0.80 | $1.40 |
5 pfennig | dark blue green - type 18 | $20.00 | $16.00 |
10 pfennig | red - type 18 | $0.80 | $1.40 |
10 pfennig | carmine red - type 18 | $1.40 | $1.40 |
10 pfennig | lilac red - type 18 | $295.00 | $95.00 |
10 pfennig | dark red - type 18 | $65.00 | $210.00 |
20 pfennig | ultramarine - type 18 | $9.75 | $3.50 |
20 pfennig | light blue - type 18 | $15.50 | $4.90 |
20 pfennig | blue violet - type 18 | $0.80 | $1.40 |
25 pfennig | orange and black on yellow paper - type 18 | $0.80 | $1.20 |
30 pfennig | orange and black on buff paper - type 18 | $0.80 | $1.20 |
30 pfennig | orange and black on cream paper - type 18 | $28.00 | $80.00 |
40 pfennig | lake and black - type 18 | $1.00 | $1.40 |
50 pfennig | purple and black on buff paper - type 18 | $0.80 | $1.20 |
50 pfennig | purple and black on yellow orange paper - type 18 | $21.00 | $85.00 |
60 pfennig | grey lilac - type 18 | $16.00 | $10.50 |
60 pfennig | magenta - type 18 | $1.40 | $1.40 |
80 pfennig | lake and black on rose paper - type 18 | $1.20 | $2.00 |
Typograph. Lozenge Watermark. Perforated 14.5 (25 x 17 perforation holes).
Denom. | Description | Mint | Used |
1 Mark | carmine - type 19 | $2.80 | $1.20 |
2 Mark | bright blue - type 23 | $6.25 | $5.75 |
2 Mark | grey blue - type 23 | $52.50 | $31.50 |
3 Mark | grey violet - type 21 | $2.75 | $5.60 |
3 Mark | black violet - type 21 | $77.00 | $31.50 |
5 Mark | blackish green and carmine - type 22 | $2.45 | $3.85 |
Typograph. Lozenge Watermark. Perforated 14.25 x 14.75 (26 x 17 perforation holes).
Denom. | Description | Mint | Used |
1 Mark | carmine - type 19 | $140.00 | $120.00 |
2 Mark | bright blue - type 23 | $100.00 | $55.00 |
3 Mark | grey violet - type 21 | $210.00 | $490.00 |
5 Mark | blackish green and carmine - type 22 | $75.00 | $115.00 |
Typograph. Lozenge Watermark. Perforated 14.
New colors and white background
Denom. | Description | Mint | Used |
2 1/2 pfennig | light grey - type 24 | $0.30 | $1.20 |
7 1/2 pfennig | yellow orange - type 24 | $5.60 | $1.40 |
7 1/2 pfennig | red orange - type 24 | $0.30 | $1.20 |
15 pfennig | yellow brown - type 24 | $4.20 | $1.40 |
15 pfennig | dark ochre - type 24 | $21.00 | $23.75 |
15 pfennig | dark violet - type 24 | $0.30 | $1.20 |
15 pfennig | black violet - type 24 | $3.50 | $2.00 |
15 pfennig | blue violet - type 24 | $42.00 | $30.00 |
These prices for German stamps are provided as a service to readers of The Stamp Collector website. They are derived from numerous sources such as dealer price lists, advertisements in philatelic publications, and public auction results. Use these values as a guideline for evaluating the reasonableness of dealer prices, setting up trades with other collectors, and estimating the worth of your collection. The value of an individual stamp is dependent on its centering and condition. The prices listed here are for well centered, undamaged stamps. A particularly nice example might sell for more than the amount listed, while a poor copy might be worth less.
Stamp Identification and Valuation Homepage
Index of resources at The Stamp Collector website for stamp identification and price guidance. Specialty articles, worldwide illustrated identifier, country guides and more.
Leipzig Fair Philately
For the better part of 1,000 years, merchants have gathered at the Leipzig Trade Fair to sell their wares. In modern times the Leipzig Fair (Leipziger Messe in German) has produced a wealth of philatelic collectibles including stamps, covers, collector cards, and cancels.
Swiss Pro Juventute Stamps Raise Funds for Children and Families
For 100 years now the Swiss Post has issued semi-postal stamps and philatelic products to raise money for the Pro Juventute Foundation. The attractive topical stamps and good works of Pro Juventute combine to make these issues favorites with the Swiss public and stamp collectors around the world.
The Worldwide Illustrated Stamp Identifier
The Worldwide Illustrated Stamp Identifier is a tool that helps to visually identify the country of origin of particularly challenging stamps. These stamps include those that have no country name written on them, and those where the country name is inscribed using a non-Latin writing script.