Kelantan Stamps
Identification, history, popular series & stamp values
About Kelantan Stamps
Kelantan is a state located in the northeastern part of Peninsular Malaysia, Southeast Asia. As one of the Federated Malay States under British protection, its postal history is intertwined with the broader Malayan postal administration, though it maintained distinct issues. Stamps from Kelantan typically feature the Malay language, often alongside English, reflecting its historical context within the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States system before joining the unified Malaysian postal service. The state's postal autonomy largely ceased following the formation of Malaysia in 1963, integrating its postal services fully into the national framework.
Issuer Overview
- Region:
- Asia
- Subregion:
- Southeast Asia
- Issuing period:
- 1911 – 2018
- Languages:
- Malay, English
- Currency:
- MYR
- Parent issuer:
- Malaya
Stamp Catalogs
Kelantan stamps are listed in the following catalogs:
Popular Kelantan Stamp Series
First Definitive Issue (Tiger and Arms) (1911-1921)
Kelantan's inaugural stamp series featuring the state's coat of arms and a tiger, often overprinted 'KELANTAN'.
Sultan Ismail Definitive Issue (1928-1937)
A long-running definitive series depicting Sultan Ismail, with various color and watermark changes.
Japanese Occupation Issues (1942-1945)
Stamps of Malaya or Kelantan overprinted by the Japanese during World War II, reflecting the wartime administration.
Kelantan Stamp Value Overview
Value Notes: Early definitive issues, especially those with errors, varieties, or on cover, command higher prices. Japanese Occupation overprints can also be valuable. Later issues from the Federation of Malaya period are generally more common.
How to Identify Kelantan Stamps
Key features to look for when identifying Kelantan stamps:
- 1 Look for 'KELANTAN' inscription, often in both Roman and Jawi script.
- 2 Early issues (1911-1941) frequently depict the state's coat of arms, tigers, or portraits of the Sultans (Ismail, Ibrahim).
- 3 Japanese Occupation stamps will have Japanese overprints on existing Malayan or Kelantan stamps.
Related Issuers & Topics
Explore stamps from related regions and historical entities:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Kelantan stamps?
Kelantan stamps are postage stamps issued by the state of Kelantan, located in northeastern Peninsular Malaysia. They were issued from 1911, initially under British protection as one of the Unfederated Malay States, and continued through various administrative changes until the full integration into the Malaysian postal service.
Are Kelantan stamps valuable?
The value of Kelantan stamps varies significantly. Early definitive issues, especially those from 1911-1921, and stamps with errors, varieties, or used on period covers, can be quite valuable, ranging from $50 to several hundred dollars. Japanese Occupation issues also hold collector interest. Later issues from the 1950s and 60s are generally more common and less valuable, typically in the $0.50 - $10 range.
How can I identify Kelantan stamps?
Kelantan stamps are identified by the prominent 'KELANTAN' inscription, often in both Roman and Jawi script. Early designs feature the state's coat of arms, tigers, or portraits of the Sultans. For precise identification, including watermarks, perforations, and specific printings, using a philatelic catalog or a stamp identifier app is highly recommended.
Which catalogs list Kelantan stamps?
Kelantan stamps are comprehensively listed in major international stamp catalogs. You can find them in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (Volume 3 for countries of the world), the Michel Ostasien (East Asia) catalog, and the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalogue (Part 3, Southern & Central Africa, and Asia).
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