Set Date(s)
1902 / 1904
Turkey
1902 Germania Overprints
MiNr. 12 II
MiNr. 13 II
MiNr. 14 II
MiNr. 20 II
MiNr. 21 II/I
MiNr. 21 II/II
MiNr. 23 II
In 1902 / 1904, 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 – see 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 the 2 Mark stamps exist in two types each due to variations in the original Germanias.
MiNr. 21 II Types
Type I
Few lines in bloom
Type II
More lines in bloom
The 2 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.
MiNr. 21 II/I / MiNr. 21 II/II Vert. Pair
MiNr. 21 II/II / MiNr. 21 II/I Vert. Pair
Several of the values can be found with plate flaws on the underlying Germania stamps or overprint flaws.
MiNr. 12 II, 13 II, & 14 II Plate Flaw I – pair with one overprint 0.5 mm higher
Posn. Unknown
MiNr. 12 II PF I
MiNr. 13 II PF I
MiNr. 14 II PF I
MiNr. 13 II Plate Flaw III – “PÄRA” instead of “PARA” (right)
Posn. Unknown
MiNr. 13 II PF III
MiNr. 14 II Plate Flaw II – mark in left frame (right)
Posn. 1, 6, 51, 60
MiNr. 14 II PF II
MiNr. 20 II Plate Flaw I – line across left of design (right)
Posn. 8
MiNr. 20 II PF I
MiNr. 20 II Plate Flaw II – line across right of design (right)
Posn. 7
MiNr. 20 II PF II
MiNr. 23 II Plate Flaw I – “C” of “REICHSPOST” broken at upper right (right)
Posn. 10
MiNr. 23 II PF I
MiNr. 23 II Plate Flaw II – dot in “I” of “REICHSPOST” (right)
Posn. 20
MiNr. 23 II PF II
MiNr. 23 II Plate Flaw III – dot before “L” in “VOLK” (right)
Posn. 18
MiNr. 23 II PF III
MiNr. 23 II Double Overprints
MiNr. 23 II DD
1902 Germania Overprints
MiNr. 12 II
MiNr. 13 II
MiNr. 14 II
MiNr. 20 II
MiNr. 21 II/I
MiNr. 21 II/II
MiNr. 23 II
In 1902 / 1904, 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 – see 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 the 2 Mark stamps exist in two types each due to variations in the original Germanias.
MiNr. 21 II Types
Type I (left)
Few lines in bloom
Type II (right)
More lines in bloom
The 2 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.
MiNr. 21 II/I / MiNr. 21 II/II Vert. Pair
MiNr. 21 II/II / MiNr. 21 II/I Vert. Pair
Several of the values can be found with plate flaws on the underlying Germania stamps or overprint flaws.
MiNr. 12 II, 13 II, & 14 II Plate Flaw I – pair with one overprint 0.5 mm higher
Posn. Unknown
MiNr. 12 II PF I
MiNr. 13 II PF I
MiNr. 14 II PF I
MiNr. 13 II Plate Flaw III – “PÄRA” instead of “PARA” (right)
Posn. Unknown
MiNr. 13 II PF III
MiNr. 14 II Plate Flaw II – mark in left frame (right)
Posn. 1, 6, 51, 60
MiNr. 14 II PF II
MiNr. 20 II Plate Flaw I – line across left of design (right)
Posn. 8
MiNr. 20 II PF I
MiNr. 20 II Plate Flaw II – line across right of design (right)
Posn. 7
MiNr. 20 II PF II
MiNr. 23 II Plate Flaw I – “C” of “REICHSPOST” broken at upper right (right)
Posn. 10
MiNr. 23 II PF I
MiNr. 23 II Plate Flaw II – dot in “I” of “REICHSPOST” (right)
Posn. 20
MiNr. 23 II PF II
MiNr. 23 II Plate Flaw III – dot before “L” in “VOLK” (right)
Posn. 18
MiNr. 23 II PF III
MiNr. 23 II Double Overprints
MiNr. 23 II DD
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