Set Date(s)
April 1903
Morocco
1903 Germania Overprints
MiNr. 8 II
MiNr. 16 II
MiNr. 17 II/I
MiNr. 17 II/II
MiNr. 18 II/I
MiNr. 18 II/II
MiNr. 19 II
In April 1903, Germany issued this set of overprints which is a slight variation on the 1900 Germania overprints.
The 1903 overprint is known as the "bold" overprint. It features a "t" that is more pointed at the top; a thicker "M" with less distinct serifs on top; and the top of the "a" in "Marocco" is at a slight angle. Additionally, there is slightly less spacing between the "r" and "o" in "Marocco".
The values of this set are denoted with an “II” suffix in Michel. This is to differentiate them from the very similar 1900 Overprint Issues (Michel suffix “I”), which have a slightly different overprint.
The values overprinted on 2 Mark and 3 Mark stamps exist in two types due to variations in the original Germanias.
MiNr. 17 II Types
Type I
Few lines in bloom
Type II
More lines in bloom
MiNr. 18 II Types
Type I
Sagging reins
Rider bent backward
Breast armor extends lower
Type II
Straight reins
Rider more upright
Breast armor not as low
The value overprinted on 5 Mark stamps exists only on Type II 5 Mark stamps.
MiNr. 19 II Types
Type I, III, & IV
Fatter “5”
No ear visible
“R” without serifs
Type II
Thinner “5”
Ear visible
“R” with serifs
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.
MiNr. 17 II/I / MiNr. 17 II/II Vert. Pair
MiNr. 18 II/I / MiNr. 18 II/II Vert. Pair
MiNr. 18 II/II / MiNr. 18 II/I Vert. Pair
The values printed on 5 Mark stamps can be found with plate flaws on the underlying Germania stamps.
MiNr. 19 II/II Plate Flaw I – “C” of “REICHSPOST” broken at upper right (right)
Posn. 10
MiNr. 19 II PF I
MiNr. 19 II/II Plate Flaw II – dot in “I” of “REICHSPOST” (right)
Posn. 20
MiNr. 19 II PF II
MiNr. 19 II/II Plate Flaw III – dot before “L” in “VOLK” (right)
Posn. 18
MiNr. 19 II PF III
All of the denominations in the Germania set were overprinted using the new, “bolder” type, but only five values were issued for use. The remaining denominations were not issued, and were eventually released to the collecting market via auction in 1923. Sold at the auction were 171 copies each of MiNr. 7 II, 10 II-15 II, and 46 copies of MiNr. 9 II.
MiNr. 7 II
MiNr. 9 II
MiNr. 10 II
MiNr. 11 II
MiNr. 12 II
MiNr. 13 II
MiNr. 14 II
MiNr. 15 II
1903 Germania Overprints
MiNr. 8 II
MiNr. 16 II
MiNr. 17 II/I
MiNr. 17 II/II
MiNr. 18 II/I
MiNr. 18 II/II
MiNr. 19 II
In April 1903, Germany issued this set of overprints which is a slight variation on the 1900 Germania overprints.
The 1903 overprint is known as the "bold" overprint. It features a "t" that is more pointed at the top; a thicker "M" with less distinct serifs on top; and the top of the "a" in "Marocco" is at a slight angle. Additionally, there is slightly less spacing between the "r" and "o" in "Marocco".
The values of this set are denoted with an “II” suffix in Michel. This is to differentiate them from the very similar 1900 Overprint Issues (Michel suffix “I”), which have a slightly different overprint.
The values overprinted on 2 Mark and 3 Mark stamps exist in two types due to variations in the original Germanias.
MiNr. 17 I Types
Type I (left)
Few lines in bloom
Type II (right)
More lines in bloom
MiNr. 18 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
The value overprinted on 5 Mark stamps exists only on Type II 5 Mark stamps.
MiNr. 19 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
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.
MiNr. 17 II/I / MiNr. 17 II/II Vert. Pair
MiNr. 18 II/I / MiNr. 18 II/II Vert. Pair
MiNr. 18 II/II / MiNr. 18 II/I Vert. Pair
The values printed on 5 Mark stamps can be found with plate flaws on the underlying Germania stamps.
MiNr. 19 II/II Plate Flaw I – “C” of “REICHSPOST” broken at upper right (right)
Posn. 10
MiNr. 19 II PF I
MiNr. 19 II/II Plate Flaw II – dot in “I” of “REICHSPOST” (right)
Posn. 20
MiNr. 19 II PF II
MiNr. 19 II/II Plate Flaw III – dot before “L” in “VOLK” (right)
Posn. 18
MiNr. 19 II PF III
All of the denominations in the Germania set were overprinted using the new, “bolder” type, but only five values were issued for use. The remaining denominations were not issued, and were eventually released to the collecting market via auction in 1923. Sold at the auction were 171 copies each of MiNr. 7 II, 10 II-15 II, and 46 copies of MiNr. 9 II.
MiNr. 7 II
MiNr. 9 II
MiNr. 10 II
MiNr. 11 II
MiNr. 12 II
MiNr. 13 II
MiNr. 14 II
MiNr. 15 II
Album Page(s)
