French Tangier Stamps
French Tangier was a unique administrative zone located in North Africa, specifically in the northernmost part of Morocco, which operated under an international statute for much of the 20th century. Although nominally under French and Spanish influence, its postal system was often administered separately or jointly, reflecting its internationalized status.
- Issued stamps
- 1918–1929
- Region
- Africa, North Africa
- Currency
- FRF
- Languages
- French
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- France
About French Tangier stamps
Stamps issued for this zone typically featured French inscriptions, reflecting the primary administrative power, and often included denominations in French francs or centimes. The postal history of Tangier is marked by its transition through various international commissions and its eventual reintegration into independent Morocco in 1956, leading to significant changes in its philatelic output.
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.
- TANGER
How to identify French Tangier stamps
- Look for the overprint 'TANGER' on French colonial or metropolitan stamps.
- Denominations will typically be in French francs or centimes.
- The underlying stamp design will often be recognizable French issues like the Mouchon, Peace and Commerce, or Sower types.
Popular series
-
Mouchon Type Surcharges
1918-1921
French Protectorate stamps overprinted 'TANGER' and new values in French currency, often featuring the Mouchon type design.
-
Peace and Commerce Type Surcharges
1921-1924
French 'Peace and Commerce' series stamps overprinted 'TANGER' and new values, reflecting the ongoing administrative changes.
-
Sower Type Surcharges
1924-1929
French 'Sower' series stamps overprinted 'TANGER' and new values, representing the later issues of French Tangier.
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
- €1–€10
- Scarce stamps
- €50–€500+
Values vary significantly based on the specific overprint, condition, and whether they are on cover. Early surcharges and errors can be quite valuable.
Catalogs. French Tangier 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 French Tangier stamps
French Tangier stamps are postage stamps issued for the French postal administration within the International Zone of Tangier, Morocco, between 1918 and 1929. They typically consist of French Protectorate or metropolitan French stamps overprinted with 'TANGER' and new denominations.
The value of French Tangier stamps varies. Common issues can be found for a few euros, while rarer overprints, errors, or stamps on cover can fetch hundreds of euros. Factors like condition, specific overprint, and rarity significantly impact their worth.
You can identify French Tangier stamps by looking for the distinctive 'TANGER' overprint on French stamp designs. They will also feature denominations in French currency. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
French Tangier stamps are comprehensively listed in major philatelic catalogs such as Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. These catalogs provide detailed information, including issue dates, varieties, and estimated values.
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