German WWII Occupation in Guernsey Stamps
Guernsey, a Crown Dependency in the English Channel, was occupied by Nazi Germany during the Second World War, leading to a unique period of postal administration. During this occupation, from 1940 to 1945, stamps were issued under German military authority, often overprinted or specifically denominated for use within the occupied islands.
- Issued stamps
- 1941–1942
- Region
- Europe, Western Europe
- Currency
- GBP
- Languages
- English, German
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- Germany
History and background
These issues reflect the interruption of normal British postal services, with inscriptions typically appearing in German or English, marking a significant, albeit brief, deviation in the island's postal history before its liberation and return to British 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.
- GERMAN OCCUPATION
How to identify them
- Look for 'GERMAN OCCUPATION' overprints on British King George VI stamps.
- Identify stamps with local Guernsey designs and German text or denominations.
- Check for postmarks from Guernsey during the 1940-1945 period.
Popular series
-
King George VI Overprints
1941
British King George VI stamps overprinted with 'GERMAN OCCUPATION' and new denominations in German currency.
-
Local Design Issues
1941-1942
Stamps designed and printed locally in Guernsey under German authority, featuring local motifs and German inscriptions.
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+
Values vary significantly based on condition, specific overprint varieties, and whether they are used on cover. The local issues tend to be more valuable than the overprinted British stamps.
Catalogs. German WWII Occupation in Guernsey 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 WWII Occupation in Guernsey stamps
These are postage stamps issued during the German occupation of Guernsey from 1940 to 1945. They include British King George VI stamps overprinted with 'GERMAN OCCUPATION' and new denominations, as well as locally designed stamps featuring Guernsey motifs and German inscriptions.
Yes, many of these stamps are considered valuable by collectors, especially the locally designed issues and certain overprint varieties. Common stamps can range from £5-£50, while rare examples, particularly those on cover or with specific errors, can fetch hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
You can identify them by looking for the 'GERMAN OCCUPATION' overprint on British stamps, or by recognizing the unique local designs with German text. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
German WWII Occupation in Guernsey stamps are listed in major philatelic catalogs such as Scott (under Great Britain - Guernsey), Michel (under Channel Islands - Guernsey), and Stanley Gibbons (under Channel Islands - Guernsey).
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