German WWII Occupation of Jersey Stamps
Jersey, a Crown Dependency in the English Channel, was occupied by Nazi Germany during the Second World War from 1940 to 1945. During this occupation, the island was administered as part of the German military occupation zone, leading to the issuance of distinct provisional stamps to replace the standard British issues.
- Issued stamps
- 1941–1943
- Region
- Europe, Western Europe
- Currency
- GBP
- Languages
- English, German
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- Germany (Third Reich)
History and background
These stamps, often denominated in British currency units, feature German administrative markings or overprints, reflecting the temporary political reality imposed upon the Channel Islands. This short-lived postal administration ceased immediately upon liberation, reverting control to the British postal system.
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.
- SERVICE
- POSTAGE
How to identify them
- Look for British King George VI stamps with distinct overprints such as 'SERVICE' or 'POSTAGE' and new denominations.
- Identify the locally produced pictorial stamps featuring Jersey scenery, often with a 'Jersey' inscription.
- Pay attention to watermarks (if any) and perforation details, as these can distinguish genuine issues from fakes or later reprints.
Popular series
-
King George VI Overprints
1941-1943
British King George VI stamps overprinted with 'SERVICE' or 'POSTAGE' and new values, issued by the German occupation authorities.
-
Jersey Pictorials
1941
Locally produced pictorial stamps depicting Jersey landmarks, issued in 1941 due to shortages of British stamps.
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+
Stamps from the German occupation of Jersey are highly sought after by collectors due to their historical significance and limited issuance. Condition, specific overprint varieties, and genuine usage on cover significantly impact value. Forgeries and fakes exist, especially of the more valuable varieties.
Catalogs. German WWII Occupation of Jersey 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 of Jersey stamps
German WWII Occupation of Jersey stamps are provisional postal issues released on the island of Jersey between 1941 and 1943, during its occupation by Nazi Germany. These stamps replaced standard British issues and often feature German administrative overprints or were locally produced due to supply shortages.
Yes, many German WWII Occupation of Jersey stamps are considered valuable by collectors due to their historical context, limited print runs, and the unique circumstances of their issuance. Values can range from a few pounds for common issues to hundreds or even thousands of pounds for rare varieties, errors, or stamps on cover. Condition plays a significant role in determining value.
You can identify German WWII Occupation of Jersey stamps by looking for British King George VI stamps with specific overprints like 'SERVICE' or 'POSTAGE' and new values, or by recognizing the distinct locally printed pictorial designs depicting Jersey landmarks. 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 of Jersey stamps are listed in major international stamp catalogs, including Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. These catalogs provide detailed listings, historical information, and estimated values for the various issues.
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