Brunei Stamps
Brunei Darussalam is a small sovereign state situated on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Its postal history is marked by periods under British protection, leading to the use of stamps inscribed with "British Borneo" before achieving full independence.
- Issued stamps
- 1895–present
- Region
- Asia, Southeast Asia
- Currency
- BND
- Languages
- Malay, English
- Issuer type
- Historical postal administration
About Brunei stamps
Stamps predominantly feature Malay, often alongside English, reflecting its official languages. The country joined the Universal Postal Union in 1984, coinciding with its full sovereignty, which solidified its independent postal administration.
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.
- BRUNEI
- BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
How to identify Brunei stamps
- Look for the inscription 'BRUNEI' or 'BRUNEI DARUSSALAM'.
- Early stamps may feature portraits of British monarchs or the Sultan of Brunei.
- Watermarks (e.g., Crown CA, Multiple Crown CA) are crucial for identifying early issues and varieties.
- Check for overprints, especially on early British Borneo or Straits Settlements stamps used in Brunei.
Popular series
-
Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin Issue
1895
Brunei's first definitive stamps, featuring the portrait of Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin, overprinted 'BRUNEI'.
-
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
1953
A popular commemorative issue celebrating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, common across many Commonwealth nations.
-
Independence Commemoratives
1984
Stamps issued to mark Brunei's full independence and joining the Universal Postal Union, often featuring national symbols.
-
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Definitive Series
Various, post-1968
Long-running definitive series featuring the portrait of the current Sultan, often updated with new designs and values.
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–$5
- Scarce stamps
- $50–$500+
Early issues, especially those from 1895 and specific overprints, can be quite valuable. Later definitive and commemorative issues are generally affordable, with higher values for complete sets or unmounted mint condition.
Catalogs. Brunei 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 Brunei stamps
Brunei stamps are postage stamps issued by the Sultanate of Brunei, a small sovereign state on the island of Borneo. Their postal history began in 1895 and includes periods under British protection, with stamps often featuring Malay and English inscriptions.
The value of Brunei stamps varies significantly. Early issues, particularly the 1895 Sultan Hashim series and certain overprints, can be quite valuable, ranging from $50 to several hundred dollars. Later definitive and commemorative stamps are generally more common and affordable, typically ranging from $0.50 to $5, with higher values for complete sets or pristine condition.
To identify Brunei stamps, look for the country name 'BRUNEI' or 'BRUNEI DARUSSALAM' printed on the stamp. Early issues may feature portraits of the Sultan or British monarchs. Watermarks are also important for identification. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
Brunei stamps are comprehensively listed in major international stamp catalogs. You can find them in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, the Michel Katalog, and the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalogue.
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