German WWII Occupation in Russia Stamps
German WWII Occupation in Russia refers to the stamps issued by the German Reich for territories under military administration during the Second World War, primarily spanning Eastern Europe. These issues fall under the broader context of German military occupation philately, distinct from standard German issues, and often feature German text alongside local place names or administrative designations.
- Issued stamps
- 1941–1942
- Region
- Europe, Eastern Europe
- Currency
- RM
- Languages
- German, Russian
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- Germany
History and background
The postal history reflects a temporary, coercive administrative structure imposed by the Wehrmacht, superseding local postal services in occupied Soviet territory. These stamps are historically significant markers of the brief and brutal German presence across vast swathes of the European continent.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for German text or overprints on stamps that appear to be from the Soviet Union or General Government.
- Many issues feature local place names (e.g., Pskov, Gatchina) in German or Cyrillic script.
- Provisional issues often have crude handstamps or simple designs.
Popular series
-
General Government Overprints (Russia)
1941-1942
Stamps of the General Government overprinted for use in occupied Russian territories, often with local place names.
-
Local Issues (Russia)
1941-1942
Provisional issues created by local German military administrations, often crude and featuring handstamps or local printings.
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–€5,000+
Value varies greatly depending on the specific issue, overprint, condition, and whether it's a recognized local provisional. Forgeries are common, especially for rarer issues.
Catalogs. German WWII Occupation in Russia 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 Russia stamps
German WWII Occupation in Russia stamps are postal issues used by the German military administration in parts of the Soviet Union occupied by Germany during World War II, primarily from 1941 to 1942. These stamps were either overprinted German or General Government issues, or provisional local issues created by the occupying forces.
The value of German WWII Occupation in Russia stamps varies significantly. Common issues can be found for €5-€50, while rare provisional issues, especially those with specific overprints or from short-lived local administrations, can fetch hundreds or even thousands of euros. Condition and authenticity are crucial factors.
To identify German WWII Occupation in Russia stamps, look for German overprints on Soviet or General Government stamps, or provisional issues with German text or local Cyrillic place names. Many are handstamped or crudely printed. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
German WWII Occupation in Russia stamps are primarily listed in the Michel catalog, which provides comprehensive coverage for German and occupied territories. Scott catalogs also list some of these issues, though often with less detail than Michel.
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