Macau Stamps
Macau, a Special Administrative Region of China located on the southeastern coast of Asia, possesses a unique postal history rooted in its status as a Portuguese colony until its handover in 1999. During the colonial period, stamps prominently featured Portuguese iconography and were denominated in Portuguese currency, later transitioning to Pataca.
- Issued stamps
- 1884–present
- Region
- Asia, East Asia
- Currency
- MOP
- Languages
- Portuguese, Chinese
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- Portugal
About Macau stamps
The linguistic environment on its issues reflects this dual heritage, typically displaying text in Portuguese and often Chinese characters. This transition marks a significant shift in postal administration, moving from a European colonial power to integration within the People's Republic of China's administrative framework.
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.
- MACAU
- MACAV
How to identify Macau stamps
- Look for 'MACAU' or 'MACAV' (older spelling) as the primary country name.
- Early stamps often feature Portuguese monarchs or republican symbols.
- Later issues frequently include both Portuguese and Chinese text.
- Denominations will be in Portuguese currency (Reis, Escudos) before 1982, and Patacas (MOP) thereafter.
Popular series
-
King Carlos I Issues
1884-1910
Early definitive stamps featuring the portrait of King Carlos I of Portugal, often overprinted.
-
Republic Issues
1911-1940s
Stamps issued after the establishment of the Portuguese Republic, often with allegorical designs or portraits of national figures.
-
Provisional Government Issues
1940s-1950s
Stamps issued during and after World War II, reflecting the changing political landscape and often featuring local scenes or industries.
-
Modern Definitive and Commemorative Issues
1960s-Present
A wide range of issues depicting local culture, history, flora, fauna, and international events, often bilingual.
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
- $0.10–$5
- Scarce stamps
- $50–$5,000+
Early colonial issues, especially those with rare overprints or in pristine condition, can fetch significant prices. Later definitive and commemorative sets are generally affordable, though complete sets or specific varieties can be more valuable. Errors and imperforates are highly sought after.
Catalogs. Macau 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 Macau stamps
Macau stamps are postage stamps issued by the postal administration of Macau, a Special Administrative Region of China. Historically, they were issued under Portuguese colonial rule and featured Portuguese iconography and currency. After the handover in 1999, they continued to be issued by Macau's postal service, often with bilingual text in Portuguese and Chinese.
The value of Macau stamps varies widely. Early colonial issues, particularly those from the 19th and early 20th centuries, especially with rare overprints, errors, or in superb condition, can be quite valuable, ranging from tens to thousands of dollars. More recent definitive and commemorative stamps are generally affordable, often valued at a few cents to a few dollars, though complete sets or specific varieties can hold more value.
You can identify Macau stamps by looking for the country name 'MACAU' or 'MACAV' (in older issues), often accompanied by text in Portuguese and later also in Chinese. Designs frequently reflect Portuguese heritage, local culture, or significant events. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
Macau stamps are comprehensively listed in major international stamp catalogs. You can find them in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, the Michel Catalogue (especially for European and colonial issues), and the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps Catalogue, as well as specialized catalogs for Portuguese colonies.
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