German Kiauchau Stamps
German Kiauchau, officially the Jiaozhou Bay Leased Territory, was a German concession located on the Shandong Peninsula in East Asia. This territory was administered by the German Empire from 1898 until its capture by Japan during World War I, after which it became a Japanese mandate.
- Issued stamps
- 1900–1905
- Region
- Asia, East Asia
- Currency
- DEM
- Languages
- German, Chinese
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- German Empire
About German Kiauchau stamps
Stamps issued during the German period were denominated in German currency, typically featuring German inscriptions alongside local geographical identifiers. The postal history of Kiauchau is brief, marked by its status as a distinct colonial entity within the German Empire's overseas possessions.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify German Kiauchau stamps
- Look for the 'Kiautschou' overprint on German Empire stamps, typically featuring the imperial yacht 'Hohenzollern'.
- Denominations are in German currency (Pfennig and Mark).
- Check for watermarks (usually lozenges or crosses, depending on the underlying German stamp).
Popular series
-
Yacht Issue (Hohenzollern Yacht)
1900-1905
The definitive series for German Kiauchau, featuring the imperial yacht 'Hohenzollern'. These stamps are overprinted 'Kiautschou' on German Empire stamps.
-
Provisional Issues
1900
Early provisional issues created by overprinting German Empire stamps with 'Kiautschou' to meet immediate postal needs.
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–€500+
Value is highly dependent on condition, specific overprint varieties, and cancellations. Early provisional issues and higher denominations tend to be more valuable.
Catalogs. German Kiauchau 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 German Kiauchau stamps
German Kiauchau stamps are postage stamps issued by the German Empire for its leased territory of Jiaozhou Bay (Kiautschou) in China, from 1900 to 1905. They are primarily German Empire stamps overprinted with 'Kiautschou'.
Some German Kiauchau stamps can be quite valuable, especially early provisional issues, higher denominations, and stamps in fine condition with clear cancellations. Common examples can be found for a few euros, while rare varieties can fetch hundreds of euros.
To identify German Kiauchau stamps, look for the distinct 'Kiautschou' overprint on stamps that typically depict the imperial yacht 'Hohenzollern' or other German Empire designs. Pay attention to the denomination in Pfennig or Mark. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
German Kiauchau stamps are extensively listed in major stamp catalogs such as Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. These catalogs provide detailed information on varieties, values, and historical context.
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