Indian Police Forces In Laos And Vietnam Stamps
This unique philatelic entity represents postal material issued for use by Indian Police Forces contingents stationed in Southeast Asia, specifically Laos and Vietnam, during the mid-20th century. These issues fall under the broader context of post-colonial international peacekeeping or advisory roles undertaken by India in the Indochina region following the French withdrawal.
- Issued stamps
- 1965–1968
- Region
- Asia, Southeast Asia
- Currency
- INR
- Languages
- English, Hindi
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- India
History and background
Stamps are typically denominated in Indian currency and feature inscriptions in English, reflecting the official language of the Indian contingent. The existence of these issues marks a specific, temporary administrative period tied to international agreements rather than a sovereign postal territory.
How to identify them
- Look for overprints or surcharges on standard Indian stamps, typically indicating 'Indian Police Forces' or similar designations.
- Denominations will be in Indian currency (Naye Paise or Paise, Rupees).
- Contextual evidence such as postmarks from Laos or Vietnam, especially from specific military or police postal units, is crucial.
- These are often found on covers or documents, which significantly enhances their philatelic value and authenticity.
Popular series
-
Indian Police Forces Provisional Issues
1965-1968
Stamps overprinted or surcharged for use by Indian Police contingents.
-
Indian Military Post Issues (related)
Various
While not directly police, these issues share a similar context of Indian forces abroad.
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+
These are highly specialized and rare issues, often found as covers or on document. Values depend heavily on condition, authenticity, and specific overprints/surcharges. Most are not listed in major catalogs, making valuation challenging and often based on specialist auctions or dealer knowledge.
Catalogs. Indian Police Forces In Laos And Vietnam 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 Indian Police Forces In Laos And Vietnam stamps
These are specialized postal issues used by Indian Police Force contingents stationed in Laos and Vietnam between 1965 and 1968. They typically consist of regular Indian stamps overprinted or surcharged for official use by these forces, reflecting India's role in international peacekeeping or advisory missions in the region.
Yes, these stamps are generally considered rare and valuable due to their limited issuance, specific purpose, and short period of use. Common examples might fetch $5-$50, while rare varieties, especially on cover or with clear provenance, can command prices from $100 to over $500. Their value is often determined by specialist collectors and auction results rather than standard catalog listings.
Look for standard Indian postage stamps from the mid-1960s bearing specific overprints or surcharges indicating their use by 'Indian Police Forces' or similar. Denominations will be in Indian currency. Identifying these often requires specialized knowledge of Indian military and police postal history. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
These highly specialized issues are generally not listed in major international catalogs like Scott, Michel, or Stanley Gibbons, as they are considered provisional or semi-official. Information about them is typically found in specialized Indian philatelic literature, military postal history journals, or through expert dealers in Indian philately.
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