Amoy (Xiamen) Stamps
Amoy, known today as Xiamen, is a significant port city located on the southeastern coast of China in Fujian province. Its postal history is primarily defined by its status as a treaty port following the First Opium War, leading to the establishment of foreign post offices, notably British and later American.
- Issued stamps
- 1895–1896
- Region
- Asia, East Asia
- Currency
- CNY
- Languages
- English, Chinese
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- China
About Amoy (Xiamen) stamps
Stamps issued during this period often featured overprints in English or reflected the postal administration of the occupying or resident foreign powers before its full integration into the unified Chinese postal system. The linguistic environment on these issues frequently includes both Chinese characters and English text due to its international commercial importance.
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.
- AMOY
How to identify Amoy (Xiamen) stamps
- Look for the overprint 'AMOY' on stamps of Great Britain or Hong Kong.
- Examine the base stamp design to determine its origin (British or Hong Kong).
- Check for specific overprint varieties, as these can significantly impact value.
Popular series
-
British Post Office Overprints
1895-1896
Stamps of Great Britain overprinted 'AMOY' for use in the British Post Office established in the treaty port.
-
Hong Kong Stamps Overprinted
1895-1896
Stamps of Hong Kong overprinted 'AMOY' were also used, reflecting the administrative ties.
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
- $5–$50
- Scarce stamps
- $200–$2,000+
Values vary significantly based on the specific overprint, stamp denomination, condition, and whether it's on cover. Early British and Hong Kong overprints can be quite valuable, especially rare varieties or those with clear postmarks.
Catalogs. Amoy (Xiamen) 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 Amoy (Xiamen) stamps
Amoy stamps refer to postage stamps used in the treaty port of Amoy (modern-day Xiamen), China, primarily during the late 19th century. These were typically stamps of Great Britain or Hong Kong overprinted with 'AMOY' for local postal use by foreign post offices.
Yes, many Amoy stamps can be valuable, especially early issues with clear 'AMOY' overprints on British or Hong Kong stamps. Rarity is often determined by the specific overprint variety, the base stamp, and its condition. Prices can range from a few dollars for common examples to thousands for rare varieties or stamps on cover.
To identify Amoy stamps, look for the distinctive 'AMOY' overprint on stamps originally issued by Great Britain or Hong Kong. Pay attention to the font, size, and position of the overprint. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
Amoy stamps are listed in major philatelic catalogs such as Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. These catalogs provide detailed information on different issues, varieties, and estimated market values.
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