Kionga Stamps
Kionga, a small territory located on the East African coast, was historically administered as a German colony before World War I. Following the war, it was transferred to Portuguese administration under a League of Nations mandate, becoming part of the territory of Mozambique.
- Issued stamps
- 1916–1916
- Region
- Africa, East Africa
- Currency
- PTE
- Languages
- Portuguese
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- Portugal
About Kionga stamps
Stamps issued for Kionga during its brief independent postal history, primarily between 1914 and 1920, predominantly feature Portuguese language and currency. This territory's distinct postal issues ceased when it was fully integrated into the Portuguese colonial postal system.
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.
- KIONGA
How to identify Kionga stamps
- Look for the 'KIONGA' overprint, typically in black, on stamps originally from German East Africa or Mozambique.
- Verify the currency denominations, which will be in Portuguese escudos (e.g., '5 Centavos', '10 Centavos').
- Examine the underlying stamp design to determine if it's a German East Africa issue (e.g., 'Yacht Hohenzollern' series) or a Mozambique issue.
Popular series
-
Kionga Provisional Issues
1916
Stamps of German East Africa overprinted 'KIONGA' and new values in Portuguese currency.
-
Kionga Definitive Issues
1916
Stamps of Mozambique overprinted 'KIONGA' and new values.
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+
The value of Kionga stamps is highly dependent on the specific overprint, condition, and whether they are genuinely used or unused. Forgeries and speculative issues exist, making expert authentication crucial for higher-value items. The provisional issues are generally more sought after.
Catalogs. Kionga 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 Kionga stamps
Kionga stamps are provisional postal issues created for the small territory of Kionga in East Africa. They consist of stamps from German East Africa or Mozambique that were overprinted with 'KIONGA' and new Portuguese currency values, primarily in 1916, following its transfer from German to Portuguese administration.
Yes, Kionga stamps can be valuable, especially the genuine provisional issues from 1916. Their value varies significantly based on the specific overprint, the condition of the stamp, and whether it's genuinely used. Rarer varieties and well-preserved examples can fetch hundreds of euros, while more common types might be in the €5-€50 range. Authentication is often recommended due to the existence of forgeries.
To identify Kionga stamps, look for the distinct 'KIONGA' overprint on stamps that originally belonged to German East Africa or Mozambique. Pay close attention to the currency denominations, which will be in Portuguese escudos. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
Kionga stamps are listed in major philatelic catalogs, including Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. These catalogs provide detailed information on the various issues, their catalog numbers, and estimated values based on condition.
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