Germany Stamps Identification and Value Guide

Overview of the Germania Series

The Germania issues of 1900 to 1922 are Germany's longest running definitive stamp series. The issues span two major German political periods, the German Empire and the Weimar Republic, a time span which includes World War I and its aftermath. There are three major Germania types with numerous minor variation and a multitude of surcharges and overprints. The result is hundreds of collectible stamps. Many of the stamps are quite affordable with retail prices running from a few cents to several dollars. Of course with the series in use for such a long time, there are a number of hard-to-find and downright rare stamps to taunt collectors. Perhaps the most dramatic of the rarities is the 2-mark value from the 1920 series with a quatrefoil pattern watermark of which only four are known. The 1920 series was printed on paper with a lozenge pattern. The quatrefoil pattern was intended for revenue stamps and the 2-mark Germania is one of several accidental uses of the paper on postal stamps. Also very hard to find from the Germania series are intact booklet panes.

The Three Major Types

The three major types of the Germania series are illustrated in the graphic below. In the orginial design of 1900, stamps were inscribed Reichspost. Beginning with the series of 1902, the inscription was changed to Deutsches Reich. The last major change was seen in the issue of 1916-1919, when the shading lines in the stamp background were removed.

Watermarks

The three types of watermarks seen on Germania stamps are illustrated in the graphic below. The vast majority of stamps either have no watermark or the lozenge watermark. The early Germania stamps were printed on unwatermarked paper. Beginning with the issue of 1905-1919, stamps were printed on paper with a lonzenge patterned watermark. Late in the Germania lifespan for the issue of 1921-1922, three Germania stamps were printed on paper with a network patterned watermark. Two stamps from the 1920-1922 issue were printed on paper with the quatrefoil watermark. The quatrefoil paper was intended for use with revenue stamps.

Bi-Color and Colored Paper Variation

In addition to the variations in design and watermarked papers, the Germania issues also feature bi-color printings and issues that are printed on colored paper.

Germania Issues

German Empire

1900

see Germany 1900-1902

1902

see Germany 1900-1902

1905-1913 (Peacetime printings)

see Germany 1905-1920

1915-1919 (War printings)

The war time printings are very similar to the peacetime printings but were generally printed on poorer quality paper with a gray or yellowish tint. Also, the colors are dull and the details course in comparison with peacetime printings.

see Germany 1905-1920

1916-1919

New colors and white background

see Germany 1905-1920

Weimar Republic

1920

1920-1922

Quatrefoil variety. The 1 1/4 mark and 2 mark type 18 stamps were accidentally printed on paper with quatrefoil watermarks..

1921

With overprinted values.

1922

The regular issue of 1922 included two Germania type stamps.

1919 - Semipostal

Surcharge for war veterans.

Bavaira

1919

Danzig

1920

1920

1920

1920 - Airmail

Allenstein

1920

Marienwerder

1920

Memel

1920

Saar

1920 (March)

1920 (April)

1921

Upper Silesia

1920 - Official

German Post Offices Abroad

China

1900

1901

1905

1906-1913

Marocco

1900

1905

1906-1911

1911

Turkey

1900

1903-1905

Overprints for the 1903-1905 series are heavier. Note the shape of the "A" which is flat on top with thick serifs.

1905

1906-1912

1908

Occupation Issues

Belgium

1914-1915

1916-1918

France (Western Command)

1916

Latvia

1919

Lithuania (Eastern Command)

1916-1917

Poland

1915

1916-1917

Romania

1917 (June)

1917(July)-1918

1918

1918

Stamp Collecting Articles

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The Worldwide Illustrated Stamp Identifier
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