Japanese WWII Occupation of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Stamps
The Japanese occupation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during World War II placed this South Asian archipelago under the administration of the Empire of Japan. These provisional issues, used between 1942 and 1945, superseded the prior British Indian postal system and featured overprints or inscriptions reflecting the new military authority.
- Issued stamps
- 1942–1945
- Region
- Asia, South Asia
- Languages
- Japanese, English
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- Empire of Japan
History and background
Stamp inscriptions during this brief period primarily utilized Japanese characters or English, marking a significant, albeit temporary, disruption in the islands' postal history before their reversion to British control.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for Japanese characters (Kanji) or other Japanese military symbols overprinted on British Indian stamps.
- Examine the base stamp to identify the original British Indian issue.
- Check for provisional issues that may have unique Japanese designs or inscriptions, often in English or Japanese.
Popular series
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Overprinted Indian Stamps
1942-1945
British Indian stamps overprinted with Japanese characters or other occupation indicators.
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Provisional Issues
1942-1945
Stamps issued by the Japanese military administration, sometimes featuring Japanese designs or 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
- $10–$50
- Scarce stamps
- $100–$1000+
The value of these occupation issues varies significantly based on the specific overprint, the base stamp used, condition, and rarity. Unused examples and those with clear, well-centered overprints tend to command higher prices. Forgeries are known, so expert authentication is crucial for high-value items.
Catalogs. Japanese WWII Occupation of Andaman and Nicobar Islands 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 Japanese WWII Occupation of Andaman and Nicobar Islands stamps
These are stamps issued during the Japanese occupation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands between 1942 and 1945. They typically consist of British Indian stamps overprinted with Japanese characters or other occupation markings, or provisional issues created by the Japanese military administration.
Yes, some of these stamps can be quite valuable, especially rare overprints, specific provisional issues, or stamps in excellent condition. Their historical significance and limited issuance contribute to their philatelic interest. Values can range from a few dollars for common types to hundreds or even thousands for rare varieties.
You can identify these stamps by looking for overprints in Japanese characters or other occupation-related inscriptions on British Indian stamps. Some provisional issues may have distinct Japanese designs. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
These stamps are listed in major international catalogs such as Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. These catalogs provide detailed information, including catalog numbers, descriptions, and estimated values for various issues.
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