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Set Date(s)

1900 / 1901

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Certificate(s)
1900 Germania Overprints
In 1900, Germany issued this set of "REICHSPOST" Germania overprints for use in the German post offices in Turkey. The underlying stamps are Deutsches Reich "REICHSPOST" issues, MiNr. 55-66.

The “REICHSPOST” Germania overprints were printed in multiple overprint types, which can be distinguished by differences in the font.  All values exist with the Type I font, which is without serifs on the letters – the 1900 Germania Overprints.

The Type II font, which features serifs on the letters and slight differences in the numerals, was used on 9 of the 12 values in the set, but only 6 of the 9 values were actually issued – the 1902 Germania Overprints.

The remaining 3 values (2, 4, 15 Piaster) with Type II Overprint, along with 3 values (1 1/4, 1 1/2, & 2 1/4 Piaster) with a new type of overprint featuring different numerals (lower row below), were not issued for use, but were later released into the collecting market – the 1902 Unissued Germania Overprints.

The values overprinted on 2, 3, & 5 Mark values exist in two types each due to variations in the original Germanias.

MiNr. 21 I Types
Type I

Few lines in bloom

Type II

More lines in bloom

MiNr. 22 I Types
Type I

Sagging reins
Rider bent backward
Breast armor extends lower

Type II

Straight reins
Rider more upright
Breast armor not as low

MiNr. 23 I Types
Type I, III, & IV

Fatter “5”
No ear visible
“R” without serifs

Type II

Thinner “5”
Ear visible
“R” with serifs

MiNr. 23 I Types III & IV (MiNr. 23 I/III & 23 I/IV) are Type I with retouching in red and white (III) or white only (IV).

Retouching example

The 2 Mark and 3 Mark Germania stamps were printed in sheets containing a mixture of Types I and II.  As a result, vertical mixed pairs can be found with Type I over Type II or Type II over Type I.

Several of the values can be found with plate flaws on the underlying Germania stamps or overprint flaws.

MiNr. 14 I Plate Flaw II – mark in left frame (right)

Posn. 1, 6, 51, 60

MiNr. 15 I Plate Flaw II – damaged “R” & dot between “R” & “E” (right)

Posn. 11

MiNr. 15 I Plate Flaw VI – clubfooted “R” (right)

Posn. 4

MiNr. 15 I Plate Flaw XIV – spot between frame lines at top left (right)

Posn. 17

MiNr. 17 I Plate Flaw XI – frame line connected with design (right)

Posn. Unknown

MiNr. 18 I Plate Flaw II – bend in left “5” flattened at top (right)

Posn. Unknown

MiNr. 18 I Plate Flaw XIV – spot between frame lines at top left (right)

Posn. 17

MiNr. 20 I Plate Flaw III – “lightning” over left side of building (right)

Posn. 14

MiNr. 23 I/II Plate Flaw III – dot before “L” in “VOLK” (right)

Posn. 18

MiNr. 23 I Double Overprints
1900 Germania Overprints
In 1900, Germany issued this set of "REICHSPOST" Germania overprints for use in the German post offices in Turkey. The underlying stamps are Deutsches Reich "REICHSPOST" issues, MiNr. 55-66.

The “REICHSPOST” Germania overprints were printed in multiple overprint types, which can be distinguished by differences in the font.  All values exist with the Type I font, which is without serifs on the letters – the 1900 Germania Overprints.

The Type II font, which features serifs on the letters and slight differences in the numerals, was used on 9 of the 12 values in the set, but only 6 of the 9 values were actually issued – the 1902 Germania Overprints.

The remaining 3 values (2, 4, 15 Piaster) with Type II Overprint, along with 3 values (1 1/4, 1 1/2, & 2 1/4 Piaster) with a new type of overprint featuring different numerals (lower row below), were not issued for use, but were later released into the collecting market – the 1902 Unissued Germania Overprints.

The values overprinted on 2, 3, & 5 Mark values exist in two types each due to variations in the original Germanias.

MiNr. 21 I Types
Type I (left)

Few lines in bloom

Type II (right)

More lines in bloom

MiNr. 22 I Types
Type I (left)

Sagging reins
Rider bent backward
Breast armor extends lower

Type II (right)

Straight reins
Rider more upright
Breast armor not as low

MiNr. 23 I Types
Type I, III, & IV (left)

Fatter “5”
No ear visible
“R” without serifs

Type II (right)

Thinner “5”
Ear visible
“R” with serifs

MiNr. 23 I Types III & IV (MiNr. 23 I/III & 23 I/IV) are Type I with retouching in red and white (III) or white only (IV).

Retouching example

The 2 Mark and 3 Mark Germania stamps were printed in sheets containing a mixture of Types I and II.  As a result, vertical mixed pairs can be found with Type I over Type II or Type II over Type I.

Several of the values can be found with plate flaws on the underlying Germania stamps or overprint flaws.

MiNr. 14 I Plate Flaw II – mark in left frame (right)

Posn. 1, 6, 51, 60

MiNr. 15 I Plate Flaw II – damaged “R” & dot between “R” & “E” (right)

Posn. 11

MiNr. 15 I Plate Flaw VI – clubfooted “R” (right)

Posn. 4

MiNr. 15 I Plate Flaw XIV – spot between frame lines at top left (right)

Posn. 17

MiNr. 17 I Plate Flaw XI – frame line connected with design (right)

Posn. Unknown

MiNr. 18 I Plate Flaw II – bend in left “5” flattened at top (right)

Posn. Unknown

MiNr. 18 I Plate Flaw XIV – spot between frame lines at top left (right)

Posn. 17

MiNr. 20 I Plate Flaw III – “lightning” over left side of building (right)

Posn. 14

MiNr. 23 I/II Plate Flaw III – dot before “L” in “VOLK” (right)

Posn. 18

MiNr. 23 I Double Overprints

Set Date(s)

1900 / 1901

Album Page(s)
Certificate(s)