- Issued stamps
- 1915–1921
- Region
- Oceania, Micronesia
- Currency
- £
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- Australia
History and background
Pacific Islands refer to a broad, historically fragmented region in Oceania, encompassing various island groups administered under different colonial powers, primarily the United States, Japan, and European nations, before transitions to independence or commonwealth status. Postal issues from this area often reflect the administrative language of the controlling power, such as English, Japanese, or Spanish, depending on the specific island group and time period. The stamps document significant geopolitical shifts, including mandates, trusteeships, and the eventual establishment of sovereign nations or territories, leading to diverse and complex postal histories across the scattered islands.
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.
- G.R.I.
- N.W. PACIFIC ISLANDS
- NAURU
How to identify them
- Look for 'G.R.I.' overprints on German colonial stamps (German New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Caroline Islands, Mariana Islands).
- Identify stamps of Great Britain overprinted 'N.W. PACIFIC ISLANDS' or 'NAURU'.
- Check for watermarks and perforations, which can help distinguish between different printings or issues.
Popular series
-
German New Guinea Overprints
1915
Stamps of German New Guinea overprinted 'G.R.I.' and new values in pence/shillings, issued by the Australian occupation forces.
-
Marshall Islands Overprints
1915
Stamps of German Marshall Islands overprinted 'G.R.I.' and new values, used by the Australian occupation.
-
Nauru Overprints
1916-1921
Stamps of Great Britain overprinted 'NAURU' and later 'N.W. PACIFIC ISLANDS' for use on Nauru.
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
- $200–$5,000+
Values vary significantly based on the specific island group, overprint variety, condition, and whether they are mint or used. Early occupation issues, especially those with rare overprints or errors, command higher prices. Sets in fine condition are more desirable.
Catalogs. N. W. Pacific 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 N. W. Pacific Islands stamps
N. W. Pacific Islands stamps refer to postal issues from various German colonial territories in the North West Pacific (e.g., German New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Caroline Islands, Mariana Islands, Nauru) that were occupied by Allied forces, primarily Australia, during and after World War I. These stamps often feature overprints on existing German colonial or British stamps to reflect the new administration.
Yes, many N. W. Pacific Islands stamps can be quite valuable, especially the early occupation issues with 'G.R.I.' overprints on German colonial stamps, or specific varieties and errors. Common stamps might range from $5 to $50, while rare examples can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Value depends heavily on the specific issue, condition, and rarity.
To identify N. W. Pacific Islands stamps, look for overprints like 'G.R.I.' (George Rex Imperator) on German colonial stamps or 'N.W. PACIFIC ISLANDS' on British stamps. Pay attention to the original stamp's design, the overprint's text and style, and any new denominations. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
N. W. Pacific Islands stamps are comprehensively listed in major philatelic catalogs such as Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. These catalogs provide detailed information on varieties, issue dates, and estimated values for both mint and used stamps.
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