British Post Morocco Stamps
British Post Morocco refers to the postal services operated by the British General Post Office within the international zone of Tangier and other areas of Morocco under British influence during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These issues primarily served the expatriate community and international trade routes in North Africa, operating under the framework of the Universal Postal Union agreements applicable to British colonial and consular posts.
- Issued stamps
- 1898–1956
- Region
- Africa, North Africa
- Currency
- GBP
- Languages
- English, French, Arabic
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- Great Britain
History and background
Stamps from this period typically feature English inscriptions alongside French or Arabic, reflecting the complex geopolitical environment of the Moroccan Protectorates. The service ceased upon the reorganization of international postal arrangements following the establishment of the Tangier International Zone statutes.
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.
- MOROCCO AGENCIES
- TANGIER
How to identify them
- Look for 'MOROCCO AGENCIES' or 'TANGIER' overprints on Great Britain stamps.
- Check the monarch's portrait (Victoria, Edward VII, George V, George VI, Elizabeth II) to determine the base stamp period.
- Note the currency of the surcharge: British (pence/shillings), French (centimes/francs), or Spanish (centimos/pesetas).
- Examine the overprint for varieties in font, spacing, and spelling, as these can indicate different printings or errors.
Popular series
-
Queen Victoria Overprints
1898-1901
Early issues featuring Great Britain Queen Victoria stamps overprinted with 'MOROCCO AGENCIES'.
-
King Edward VII Overprints
1902-1912
British King Edward VII stamps overprinted 'MOROCCO AGENCIES' with various surcharges in French currency.
-
King George V Overprints
1913-1937
British King George V stamps overprinted 'MOROCCO AGENCIES' and surcharged in French currency (centimes and francs).
-
Tangier Issues
1927-1956
British stamps overprinted 'TANGIER' for use in the International Zone, often with surcharges in Spanish currency (pesetas and centimos).
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+
Value varies significantly based on the specific overprint, surcharge, condition, and whether it's a key plate or a rare variety. Early issues and high-value surcharges tend to be more valuable. Tangier issues are generally more common than earlier Morocco Agencies issues.
Catalogs. British Post Morocco 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 British Post Morocco stamps
British Post Morocco stamps are Great Britain postage stamps that were overprinted for use by British postal agencies operating in Morocco, primarily in the International Zone of Tangier and other cities, from 1898 until 1956. These stamps facilitated postal services for the British expatriate community and international trade.
The value of British Post Morocco stamps varies widely. Common issues can be found for a few pounds, while rare overprints, specific surcharges, or stamps in pristine condition can fetch hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Early Queen Victoria and King Edward VII issues, as well as certain Tangier varieties, are often more valuable.
You can identify British Post Morocco stamps by looking for the distinctive overprints 'MOROCCO AGENCIES' or 'TANGIER' on standard Great Britain stamps. Pay attention to the monarch depicted (Victoria, Edward VII, George V, George VI, Elizabeth II) and any currency surcharges (e.g., '10 CENTIMES', '1 PESETA'). A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
British Post Morocco stamps are extensively listed in major philatelic catalogs. You can find them in the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalog, the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (under Great Britain Offices Abroad), and the Michel Europa-Katalog (West- und Mitteleuropa).
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