Japanese WWII Occupation of Hong Kong Stamps
This entity represents the postal administration established in Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation of East Asia in the Second World War. Geographically situated in East Asia, this administration superseded the British colonial postal system following the fall of the territory in late 1941.
- Issued stamps
- 1945–1945
- Region
- Asia, East Asia
- Currency
- JPY
- Languages
- Japanese, English
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- Japan
History and background
Stamps issued under this authority primarily feature Japanese characters alongside English, reflecting the temporary military control over the former Crown Colony. This period marks a distinct, albeit brief, interruption in Hong Kong's long history as a major international postal hub under British administration.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for Japanese characters, particularly '大日本郵便' (Dai Nippon Yubin), overprinted on British Hong Kong stamps.
- Examine cancellations for Japanese postmarks or Hong Kong postmarks from the occupation period (December 1941 - August 1945).
- Note the currency denomination, which would typically be in Japanese Yen or Sen, even if overprinted on a Hong Kong dollar/cent stamp.
Popular series
-
Overprinted Hong Kong Stamps
1945
British Hong Kong stamps overprinted with Japanese characters, often '大日本郵便' (Dai Nippon Yubin - Great Japan Post) and a value in Japanese currency.
-
Japanese Definitive Stamps
1945
Japanese definitive stamps used in Hong Kong, sometimes with local cancellations.
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+
Value varies significantly based on the specific overprint, condition, and cancellation. Overprinted Hong Kong stamps are generally more sought after than Japanese definitives used in the territory. Forgeries of overprints exist.
Catalogs. Japanese WWII Occupation of Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong stamps
These are stamps used in Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation from December 1941 to August 1945. They primarily consist of British Hong Kong stamps overprinted with Japanese characters and values, or Japanese definitive stamps used within the occupied territory.
The value of these stamps can range from a few dollars for common examples to several hundred or even thousands for rare overprints, specific varieties, or stamps with significant historical cancellations. Condition and authenticity of overprints are crucial factors.
Look for British Hong Kong stamps bearing Japanese overprints, typically '大日本郵便' (Dai Nippon Yubin) and new Japanese currency values. Japanese definitive stamps used in Hong Kong during this period are also part of this category. 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 (under Hong Kong or Japan, often with specific occupation listings), Michel (under Japan or Hong Kong), and Stanley Gibbons (under Hong Kong, with specific sections for the occupation period).
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