Diego Suarez Stamps
Diego Suarez, now known as Antsiranana, is a port city located in the northern region of Madagascar, an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. Its postal history is intrinsically linked to French colonial administration, as Madagascar was a French colony, and stamps issued for the area often reflected this association, frequently bearing French language inscriptions.
- Issued stamps
- 1890–1894
- Region
- Africa, East Africa
- Currency
- French Franc (FRF)
- Languages
- French
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- France
About Diego Suarez stamps
The region experienced administrative shifts following Madagascar's independence in 1960, which impacted the continuity and issuing authority of local postal materials. Stamps from this period generally reflect the broader Malagasy postal system under French influence.
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.
- DIEGO-SUAREZ
- DIEGO SUAREZ
How to identify Diego Suarez stamps
- Look for 'DIEGO-SUAREZ' or 'DIEGO SUAREZ' overprints, often with new denominations, on stamps originally issued for French Colonies.
- Examine the base stamp design, which typically features the 'Type Sage' design or other common French Colonial designs.
- Pay attention to the type and color of the overprint, as variations can significantly impact value.
Popular series
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General Issues
1890-1894
Stamps of French Colonies overprinted 'DIEGO-SUAREZ' or 'DIEGO SUAREZ' with new values.
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Type Sage Issues
1890-1891
French Colonies 'Type Sage' stamps overprinted for use in Diego Suarez, often with surcharges.
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
- €100–€1,000+
Value depends heavily on the specific overprint, surcharge, condition, and rarity of the base stamp. Early issues with scarce overprints or errors can be quite valuable.
Catalogs. Diego Suarez 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 Diego Suarez stamps
Diego Suarez stamps are postal issues used in the port city of Diego Suarez (now Antsiranana) in northern Madagascar during its period as a French colonial possession, primarily between 1890 and 1894. These were typically stamps of French Colonies overprinted with 'DIEGO-SUAREZ' and often a new value.
Some Diego Suarez stamps can be quite valuable, especially early issues with rare overprints, specific surcharge varieties, or those in pristine condition. Common issues might be in the €5-€50 range, while rare examples can fetch hundreds or even thousands of Euros. Their value is largely tied to their historical context as provisional issues.
You can identify Diego Suarez stamps by looking for the distinctive 'DIEGO-SUAREZ' or 'DIEGO SUAREZ' overprint on stamps that are clearly of French Colonial origin. Often, these overprints will also include a new face value. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
Diego Suarez stamps are listed in major international stamp catalogs including Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. These catalogs provide detailed listings, illustrations, and estimated values for the various issues and their varieties.
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