Hamburg Stamps
Hamburg, a major city-state in Northern Germany, maintained a distinct postal administration despite its location on the European mainland. As a key member of the German Confederation and later the German Empire, its postal system operated independently until the unification of German postal services in 1871.
- Issued stamps
- 1859–1867
- Region
- Europe, Western Europe
- Currency
- Mark
- Languages
- German
- Issuer type
- Historical postal administration
- Part of
- German Confederation
About Hamburg stamps
Stamps from this period predominantly feature German text, often reflecting the city's status as a free and Hanseatic city. The transition to the unified German Reich marked the end of its separate postal history, integrating its services into the broader national framework.
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.
- HAMBURG
- POSTMARKE
How to identify Hamburg stamps
- Look for the distinctive Hamburg coat of arms (castle design) as the central motif.
- Stamps are inscribed with 'HAMBURG' at the top and 'POSTMARKE' at the bottom, with denominations in Schilling or Mark Courant.
- Check for watermarks (often a 'key' or 'anchor' design) which can be crucial for identifying specific printings and varieties.
Popular series
-
Hamburg Coat of Arms Issues
1859-1867
The primary and only series of definitive stamps issued by Hamburg, featuring the city's coat of arms (a castle) with various denominations.
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
- €10–€100
- Scarce stamps
- €500–€5,000+
Values vary significantly based on denomination, color shade, condition (especially cancellations), and specific printings. Early issues and higher denominations are generally more valuable. Used stamps with clear, light cancellations are often preferred.
Catalogs. Hamburg 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 Hamburg stamps
Hamburg stamps are postage stamps issued by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, a major German city-state, between 1859 and 1867. These stamps were used for its independent postal service before the unification of German postal systems under the North German Confederation.
Yes, many Hamburg stamps are valuable, especially those in good condition, higher denominations, or rare varieties. Common stamps can range from €10 to €100, while rare examples, particularly those with specific watermarks or cancellations, can fetch hundreds or even thousands of Euros at auction.
Hamburg stamps are easily identified by their central design featuring the city's coat of arms (a castle) and the inscription 'HAMBURG' at the top. Denominations are typically in Schilling or Mark Courant. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
Hamburg stamps are extensively listed in all major philatelic catalogs, including Scott (under German States), Michel (Germany), and Stanley Gibbons (Germany and States). These catalogs provide detailed information on issues, varieties, watermarks, and current market values.
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.