Allied Occupation Stamps
The Allied Occupation refers to the post-World War II administration of Germany and Austria by the victorious Allied powers, primarily the United States, United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union. This period in Central Europe saw the issuance of provisional postal stationery by the occupying forces, often superseding previous national issues.
- Issued stamps
- 1945–1949
- Region
- Europe, Central Europe
- Currency
- DEM
- Languages
- German, English, French, Russian
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
About Allied Occupation stamps
Stamps from this era typically feature the names or abbreviations of the occupying powers, reflecting the complex administrative division of the territories. The postal history of these regions during this time is marked by the transition from the Third Reich to separate zones of occupation, preceding the establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- AM POST
How to identify Allied Occupation stamps
- Look for 'AM POST', 'Deutsche Post', or 'Österreich' (Austria) inscriptions, often with overprints indicating the occupying power or zone.
- Examine watermarks, as some issues used different paper types or watermarks.
- Pay attention to specific overprint types and their placement, as variations can indicate different printings or errors.
- Note the year of issue, as the postal administration evolved rapidly during this period.
Popular series
-
Allied Occupation - Germany (American, British, French Zones)
1945-1948
Issues for the combined Western zones, often featuring 'AM POST' or 'Deutsche Post' overprints, and later definitive series like the 'Buildings' and 'Workers' issues.
-
Allied Occupation - Germany (Soviet Zone)
1945-1949
Stamps issued under Soviet administration, including local issues, 'Deutsche Post' overprints, and early definitive series reflecting the emerging socialist state.
-
Allied Occupation - Austria
1945-1947
Provisional issues for Austria, initially overprints on existing Austrian stamps, followed by new designs under Allied control before the re-establishment of a sovereign Austrian postal service.
-
Berlin-Brandenburg Issues
1945-1948
Early post-war issues specifically for the Berlin and Brandenburg regions, often featuring local designs or overprints.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- €0.50–€10
- Scarce stamps
- €50–€500+
Common stamps from the Allied Occupation period are generally inexpensive. However, certain provisional issues, specific overprints, errors, and stamps from smaller localities or early printings can command significant prices. Condition is crucial, with mint never-hinged (MNH) examples being more valuable.
Catalogs. Allied Occupation stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about Allied Occupation stamps
Allied Occupation stamps refer to postal issues used in Germany and Austria immediately following World War II, administered by the victorious Allied powers (United States, United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union). These stamps superseded previous national issues and were used in the respective occupation zones until new national postal services were established.
While many common Allied Occupation stamps are relatively inexpensive, certain issues can be quite valuable. These include rare provisional overprints, specific local issues, errors, and stamps in pristine condition (especially mint never-hinged). The value depends heavily on the specific issue, rarity, and condition.
Identifying Allied Occupation stamps involves looking for specific inscriptions like 'AM POST', 'Deutsche Post', or 'Österreich', often with overprints indicating the occupying power or zone. Examining watermarks, print variations, and comparing them with catalog references is essential. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
Allied Occupation stamps are extensively cataloged in major philatelic references. You can find them listed in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (often under Germany and Austria), the Michel Deutschland-Spezial-Katalog (for Germany) and Michel Österreich-Spezial-Katalog (for Austria), and the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalogue (for British Zone issues and general coverage).
Not sure where
it's from?
Photograph the stamp and Stamp Identifier names the issuer, the year and the series. One identification every 24 hours is free; prices and listings need Premium.