Gambia Stamps
Gambia is a small West African nation entirely surrounded by Senegal, situated along the lower Gambia River. Its postal history is rooted in its status as a British Crown Colony, leading to early issues bearing the effigy of the British monarch, and it later joined the Universal Postal Union in 1970.
- Issued stamps
- 1869–2021
- Region
- Africa, West Africa
- Currency
- GMD
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Modern postal administration
- Part of
- United Kingdom
About Gambia stamps
Stamps predominantly feature English, the official language, alongside local flora, fauna, and cultural themes relevant to the nation. The country achieved full independence from the United Kingdom in 1965, marking a transition in its philatelic identity from colonial dependency to a sovereign republic.
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.
- GAMBIA
- POSTAGE
- POSTAGE & REVENUE
How to identify Gambia stamps
- Look for 'GAMBIA' as the country name, often in conjunction with 'POSTAGE' or 'POSTAGE & REVENUE'.
- Early issues feature British monarchs (Victoria, Edward VII, George V, George VI, Elizabeth II) until independence in 1965.
- Post-independence stamps (from 1965 onwards) will clearly state 'GAMBIA' and often depict local themes, national symbols, or international events.
Popular series
-
Early Queen Victoria Issues
1869-1901
The first stamps of Gambia, featuring the iconic 'Chalon Head' portrait of Queen Victoria, often with 'GAMBIA' overprints.
-
King George VI Pictorials
1938-1952
A popular series depicting local scenes, flora, fauna, and industries, alongside the portrait of King George VI.
-
Independence Commemoratives
1965
Stamps issued to celebrate Gambia's independence from the United Kingdom, often featuring national symbols and leaders.
-
Definitive Series (Post-Independence)
1966-present
Regular issues showcasing Gambian wildlife, culture, and national development, reflecting the nation's sovereign identity.
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
- $0.20–$5
- Scarce stamps
- $50–$5,000+
Early Queen Victoria issues, especially unused or rare varieties, can fetch significant prices. Post-independence definitives and commemoratives are generally affordable, with higher values for complete sets, errors, or specific thematic issues. Condition is crucial for value.
Catalogs. Gambia 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 Gambia stamps
Gambia stamps are postage stamps issued by the West African nation of Gambia, starting from 1869 when it was a British Crown Colony. They reflect its colonial past with British monarch portraits and its post-independence identity with local themes.
The value of Gambia stamps varies widely. Early colonial issues, particularly those from Queen Victoria's reign, can be quite valuable, especially in fine condition or as rare varieties. Later post-independence stamps are generally more affordable, though complete sets, thematic issues, or errors can command higher prices. Rarity, condition, and demand from collectors of British Commonwealth or African stamps influence their worth.
You can identify Gambia stamps by looking for the country name 'GAMBIA' printed on the stamp. Early issues will feature British monarchs, while later stamps will depict local flora, fauna, cultural scenes, or national symbols. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
Gambia stamps are comprehensively listed in major international stamp catalogs. You can find them in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (Volume 3 for British Commonwealth), the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalogue, and the Michel catalogue (Afrika volume).
Not sure where
it's from?
Photograph the stamp and Stamp Identifier names the issuer, the year and the series. One identification every 24 hours is free; prices and listings need Premium.